How to Manage a Plumbing Emergency

Have you woken up to find there’s no hot water? Discovered a burst pipe in your yard? It’s time to contact an emergency plumber Brisbane! Plumbing emergencies are a simple fact of life. Sooner or later you’re bound to run into an issue you can’t fix yourself. For those times, it’s important to know what you need to do to minimise the damage to your property. In this article we’ll be talking about what you can do in a plumbing emergency to prevent minor problems from turning into major repairs.

Turn Off Your Water Supply

The first thing you should do in a plumbing emergency is turn off the water supply to your property. All homes, townhouses and units have an isolation valve that controls water to the entire property. If you’re experiencing a major issue such as a burst pipe, this is the fastest way to control the leak. Isolation valves are usually found near the footpath in a partially-buried plastic box. Simply open the box and turn off the tap or valve that’s inside. Townhouses and units sometimes have individual isolation valves for each apartment. They’re usually located in a central service cabinet in the apartment.

It’s normal for pipes and taps to continue leaking after the isolation valve has been turned off. You can drain remaining water from your pipes by turning on some of the working taps in your home. This minimises the amount of water damage caused by a burst pipe.

Turn Off the Fitting’s Water Supply

Your property’s isolation valve is the best way to deal with things like burst pipes. For other problems like leaking toilets, you can usually turn off the water supply at the appliance. Toilets, washing machines, basins, dishwashers and hot water heaters often have their own isolation valves. That means you can turn off the fitting that’s causing the problem without shutting off the water supply to your whole home. Most appliances and fittings are controlled by a tap or valve that can be found on the machine or in a nearby cabinet.

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Try a Plunger

Blocked drains are probably the most common household plumbing emergency. It might not seem like a big deal, but blocked drains have a habit of doing serious damage. The good news is that many blockages can be cleared with a plunger. Plungers are a must-have investment for every home. Simply take your plunger and place the cup over the blocked drain until it forms a seal. Then, quickly plunge up and down a few times to dislodge the blockage. This should be enough to clear blocked toilets or deal with minor issues like food scraps or soap buildup!

Avoid Drain Cleaning Chemicals and Drain Snakes

If the plunger doesn’t work, it’s time to call a professional. Many of us turn to cleaning chemicals at this stage, but they can damage your pipes, and you might even make the problem worse. Likewise, using a drain snake or drain eel can worsen the situation. If you’re struggling with a stubborn blockage then it’s best to call a plumber. Professional plumbers have tools such as water jetters that they can use to clear foreign objects without issue.

Clean Up the Mess

The big danger that comes with most plumbing emergencies is water damage. Water can quickly ruin floors, walls, cabinets and structural timbers. In the worst case, excessive amounts of water can even cause your home’s foundations to crack. As soon as you’ve switched off the water supply, it’s time to start the cleanup effort. Old towels and a mop are usually the quickest way to deal with puddles of water, but you might need to use a broom to clear away major water leaks. Don’t forget to place a bucket underneath dripping pipes or fixtures to catch any water that’s still in the pipes!

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Contact Your Emergency Plumber

Finally, it’s time to call for help. The unfortunate part of plumbing emergencies is that they’re difficult to deal with on your own. An emergency plumber Brisbane wide can make short work of serious problems, repairing the issue and preventing serious damage to your property. Emergency plumbers are usually available 24/7, so you can phone them at any time of the day or night. Emergencies such as blocked drains won’t need immediate attention, but it’s always good to have your plumber’s contact information stored in your phone.

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