Pipes break. Appliances leak. Sewage lines, unfortunately, overflow. When the worst strikes, it’s best to be prepared. Although you may not be able to avoid all of the damage that consequently occurs with a plumbing malfunction, a bit of preparation can go a long way to keep your home, your belongings, and your family safe. Here are our plumbing emergency tips!
Have an Emergency Plumber in Mind
If you live here in Addison, Elmhurst, Carol Stream, Wheaton, Winfield, Lakewood, Wayne, Keeneyville, or Bloomingdale, you can count on InSink Plumbing to tackle your problems fast. Keep our number handy (it’s 630-388-5883 by the way!), and bookmark our website. If you don’t live in the area, be sure to find the nearest emergency repair service. We recommend that you put the number of your emergency plumber on your refrigerator, so that it is in plain site and easy to access!
Educate All Home Residents
Next, it’s time to tell all of the residents of your abode about what they can do to stay safe and mitigate the issues of a plumbing leak. If you have kids, make sure that they understand that water can be dangerous, especially if pooling water comes into contact with electricity. Teach your children the dangers of a water leak and notify them that they should contact you immediately. If a leak does occur, you can provide a safe solution for your kiddos. You may also want to leave the phone number for a close neighbor, so that your neighbor can keep an eye on the kids during an emergency.
Also, be sure to identify where the water main is in your home. Find the water meter that routes to your home, and trace the plumbing to your home’s interior. The shutoff valve should be nearby. Tell all residents where to locate the shutoff valve, and teach them how to operate it. Most valves simply require a turning a lever by 90 degrees. You can test your shutoff valve to make sure that it is operational.
Prepare Your Belongings
A leak can damage your belongings and your property. Be mindful of the belongings and appliances that you have on the lowest floor of your home. If you have a pipe burst, the lowest floor may endure some flooding. Place your belongings on pallets or cinder blocks to get them a few inches off of the ground. If you live in an older home that has experienced any form of flooding, you may be able to spot a flooding line along the wall of your basement or first floor; put all of your stored belongings above this flood line to protect them from a future catastrophe.
Prepare for the Worst
If possible, install a sump pump on the lowest floor of your home. A sump pump can be utilized to displace water that has pooled in your home. If you can’t install a sump pump, keep buckets, mops, and a dry/wet shop vacuum handy – the shop vac can be utilized to help dry out a room after a leak. Use the buckets and mops to lift most of the water out of the room. Also, have a few fans handy. If you have had a leak, you’ll need to air out the room to keep your home free from mold and mildew.
InSink Plumbing
You can count on the pro plumbers here at InSink. We’re here to make sure that your home is properly plumbed, and all the fluids flow in the right direction. When things aren’t working as they should, you can count on us too. Get in touch with us if you have a plumbing emergency. You’ll speak to a live representative, and we’ll be to your home in a jiff. Stay safe!
