Over time, there is a chance that a pipe could develop a crack, hole or other type of imperfection. A damaged pipe is more likely to allow water to flow out of it, which could result in significant damage throughout your house. Therefore, it’s important to know what to do during a plumbing emergency so that you can keep potential damage to a minimum.
Turn the Water Off
The moment you suspect that a pipe is leaking, you should turn off the water supply to your home. At a minimum, you should turn off the water line to wherever you think the problem is occurring. For instance, if the toilet is leaking, it may be possible to contain the problem by shutting off the valve located behind it.
Taking this step prevents any more liquid from flowing through your property’s plumbing system, which may give you time to create a temporary solution to your problem. For instance, it may be possible to wrap electrical tape around a cracked pipe to keep moisture inside of it until help arrives.
Call for Help
Even if you consider yourself to be handy, you’ll likely be overwhelmed by the amount of work it will take to get your house back in adequate condition. Furthermore, the source of the leak isn’t always immediately apparent, and by the time you find it, your home could already be full of water.
Therefore, it’s in your best interest to call the folks from Wingate in Cincinnati, OH. After arriving at your home, a technician will be able to do a complete inspection of its plumbing system to determine what caused the emergency to occur.
From there, they will take whatever steps are necessary to remedy the problem to your satisfaction. In addition to plumbing services, our team of professionals can also install a new heater or repair a malfunctioning air conditioner.
Begin the Process of Removing Standing Water
As a general rule, water that flows out of your pipes will be safe to handle on your own. Assuming that it hasn’t been contaminated, water that leaks from a toilet will also be safe to handle. However, if you notice any fecal matter, sewage or foreign objects floating in a pool of standing water, do not touch it. Instead, you should simply wait until a water damage restoration service is able to come to your home.
Document the Damage for Your Insurance Company
Water can cause mold to grow on floors, ceilings and other surfaces throughout your house. In some cases, it can result in mold growth inside of walls, under floors or in other areas that you won’t have easy access to. Even if you don’t have to remove portions of your home to assess the damage done to it, you may still incur significant losses.
For instance, you may have to replace carpets, furniture and appliances that were submerged for several minutes or hours. It may also be necessary to replace a computer, television or other electronic device that was sitting close to the floor when the emergency happened.
It may be possible to recoup a portion of your losses by filing a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. When filing your claim, you’ll want to send photos, videos or other evidence that may improve your chances of having that claim approved.
Will You Need a Place to Stay?
Depending on the type of water currently in your home, it may not be safe to stay there until it can be removed. This may be especially true if you have a low tolerance for mold, mildew or other contaminants that may grow quickly in wet environments. It’s important to note that your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover the cost of staying in a hotel while your home is being repaired.
If you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at Wingate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing right away. In addition to offering emergency service, we can also perform duct cleanings, indoor air quality assessments or annual HVAC inspections. A regular HVAC inspection may help to catch problems with your home’s heating or cooling components before they can cause significant property damage.