Nobody expects a plumbing emergency, but most homeowners will eventually find themselves in a challenging situation that calls for quick thinking and fast action.
Broken pipes, clogged drains and backed-up sewer lines can cause substantial damage to your home if you don’t move quickly to alleviate the problem. So, before you find yourself ankle-deep in water or sewage and facing catastrophic flood damage to your home, ask yourself: “Am I prepared in case of a plumbing emergency?”
If not, today is a great day to get started. Here’s how.
No. 1: Locate & Test Your Home’s Main Shut-Off Valve
Do you know where your home’s main water shut-off valve is located? Surprisingly few homeowners do, at least until they find themselves in the midst of a plumbing emergency.
Even if you do know where to shut off the water to your home, you should test the valve periodically – at least once each year – to ensure that it works properly. If the supply valve is stiff or if it doesn’t fully halt the flow of water, contact Black Diamond to have it repaired.
Ensure that each member of your family also knows where to find the main and how to use it, in case you’re not home when disaster strikes.
Some older homes may not have a main shut-off valve. In that case, you may need to turn off the water at the location of the city meter. If that’s the case at your home, your plumber can install a valve for you, so that you don’t have to tamper with the city’s equipment.
No. 2: Verify the Operation of Indoor Plumbing Connections
In addition to your home’s main water supply, each source of water in your home should have operable shut-off valves installed. This includes the supply lines to your water heater and washing machine, and the hot and cold supply lines for each toilet and sink.
Check each location, turning both hot and cold lines off and verifying that the valves turn easily and close fully.
If you have hard water – or if your plumbing system is older – you may find the valves difficult or impossible to turn. If so, contact your Black Diamond to schedule a plumbing service call. Replacing worn or corroded valves is typically a quick and affordable repair, and one that could save you thousands of dollars in the event of a plumbing emergency.
No. 3: Assemble a DIY Plumbing Emergency Kit
Until your plumber arrives, you may need to take steps to mitigate the damage a plumbing emergency can cause. Because time is of the essence when water is spraying or surging across the floor, having a collection of tools at the ready can help you save precious time.
Assemble your tools and supplies in a large bucket or another container large enough to hold everything you need. Not only will you have all your tools in one place, but you can also use the bucket to catch leaking water.
Some of the most useful tools to have handy in a plumbing emergency include:
- A plunger
- Teflon plumber’s tape
- Adjustable wrenches
- Slip-joint pliers
- Allen wrenches
- Rags or towels
- A flashlight or (preferably) a headlamp
You don’t have to be a professional plumber to stanch an emergency leak, as long as you have a few basic tools at hand. If nothing else, you can use your bucket and rags to start soaking up water leaks.
No. 4: Put a Utah Emergency Plumber in Your Speed Dial
The last thing you want to be doing in case of a plumbing emergency is a google search for a northern Utah emergency plumber. Take the time now to add the phone number of Black Diamond Experts (801-590-3625) to your speed dial.
Black Diamond Electric, Plumbing, Heating and Air, with office locations in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Orem, provides a full range of professional plumbing services to customers in the Salt Lake City metro area and all along the Wasatch Front. Contact us today to learn more about our company or to schedule a plumbing system inspection or service call.
If the day comes when you encounter a plumbing emergency at your Utah home, you can count on the experts – The Black Diamond experts – to take care of you and your family.