There’s nothing worse than walking into your home or waking up in the middle of the night to find a burst pipe or uncontrollable water leak. What do you even do in a situation like this? The more the leak continues to spill into your house, the more potential, long-term damages you have to deal with. You need to act immediately to control the situation. We’re here to help. Keep reading for the top five steps to take if you’re facing a plumbing emergency in Longview, TX.
1. Turn Off the Water
First and foremost, if there’s running water spilling onto your floors, behind walls, or anywhere else, you need to turn off the water supply. Some water leaks can be turned off at the source.
Check the appliance, sink, or toilet pipework for a valve. You might be able to stop the water flow at the most proximal plumbing point.
Alternatively, you can turn off the water to your entire home. Find the main shut-off valve, which is usually located on the outside wall of the utility room or in the basement.
2. Turn off the Water Heater
If you turn off the water to your entire house or the water heater is the appliance leaking water, you need to turn off the heat to the water heater. If the heating component is on but water isn’t cycling through, it could cause damage to the unit. If you only had to turn off the water to an isolated area (that doesn’t affect the water heater) you shouldn’t have any problems.
3. Maximize Safety
Next, you must maximize the safety of you and everyone else in your household. If you have a massive flooding issue or the flowing water is at or near electrical outlets or appliances, you must cut off the electricity. An electric current can travel easily through water, which could be potentially dangerous to the home and its occupants.
4. Minimize Water Damage
Once water is no longer flowing freely and everyone is safe, you can start taking steps to minimize damage to your home. Few building materials are water-resistance. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to things like rot, breakdown, mildew, and dangerous mold growth.
The sooner you can start sopping up the water and drying out the affected areas, the better.
5. Call a Plumber
There’s a lot to be said about DIY work. On one hand, it improves your knowledge, experience, and skillset. However, there are certain things you should never DIY, and plumbing emergencies are at the top of that list.
To avoid making your plumbing emergency worse, call a professional plumber as soon as possible. Some plumbing companies in Longview offer emergency services 24/7, which may be essential for your home’s well-being.
Got a Plumbing Emergency on Your Hands in Longview, TX?
Are you facing a plumbing emergency in Longview, TX? Don’t waste any time. Follow the steps listed above to minimize the damages.
Contact us today to get immediate assistance for a plumbing emergency or to schedule an appointment for future plumbing services. We’re here for you, no matter what your situation calls for!