Plumbing issues range from dripping pipes to waste smells and gas leaks. These crises can be scary if this is your first experience. However, following several steps after noticing this problem will save you money in the long run.

Do Not Get Nervous

It is a natural human instinct to panic when faced with a severe issue. However, when you let your emotions have the best of you in an emergency situation, it can cost you several thousand dollars because of water damage. During this type of situation, you have to take the rational route; otherwise, a leak or a toilet that is overrunning will become a bigger problem. Taking a moment of silence and a deep breath with help you to not overreact.

Some people even panic and try to fix the problem on their own. It would help if you did not attempt this because you are not an experienced professional, so you will more than likely mess up the job instead of improving it. Calling a professional is your best option during any plumbing emergency. Most companies have emergency services, and they will be able to come to your house very quickly to assist.

Shut Off Your Water

The first thing you should do when you see a leak is to turn off the water valve. When you let the water continuously run and there is a leak in the pipe, you will be doing nothing but wasting valuable water and money. Water valves can be tricky to search for, so turn off the main water supply if this is an issue for you. However, it would be best to figure out where your water valve is before this type of situation strikes because it can make all the difference. Water valves appear as circular knobs and levers, and you have to move the handle in a clockwise position to shut off the water in your toilet or faucet.

You could also shut off the water to the entire house. If you are looking for a valve to cut off the water in your home, it would be red and circular, and its location depends on the site of your property. In warm areas, your valve will be outside, while in cold environments, your valve will be on the inside of your home by the water heater. You can also shut off the water supply to your entire property. This valve is usually located in a box on the street. When you find it, you should turn the inside valve clockwise and not leave it open.

Clean Up Water

Before your plumber comes to your house for this emergency, you should clean up as much excess water as you can. Cleaning up will help the plumber to be able to do their job better, and it will help you save your floors from water damage. Remove as much as you can so that your expenses will not be more extensive. Homeowners facing this problem should note that furniture and walls could be damaged by water that is not cleaned correctly.

After you wipe up the water, you should also disinfect the areas touched by the water. It would be best to use hot water, soap, and bleach to scrub the floors and walls that people in your household often touch. Remember to open up windows after completing this process since bleach has a powerful smell. Try not to come into this space for 10 hours or until after the area is completely dry.

Turn Off Electrical Appliances

Electricity and water are the most dangerous combination globally because water is such a great conductor of electricity. Humans quickly turn into an easy access way for electricity to travel through the water, into their bodies, then to the ground. This possibility is why it is hazardous to go swimming during a lightning storm. However, it would be best if you understood that the water would not be the thing to kill you. Rather, it is the ions inside of the water that will kill you. Ions exist in water with no net charge until you introduce them to electricity. If you do not turn off your electrical appliances, this could become a danger to everyone living in the house with you. It would be best if you attempted to turn off the primary power switch in your house for the safest option.

Check Your Water Heater

If your water heater is not tankless, you need to shut it off right after you cut off your water valve. When you have plumbing emergencies, this is a crucial step that could cost you a lot of money if you overlook it. When you turn off your water, cold water from the outside stops coming into the tank. This change creates a situation where your hybrid or traditional tank water heater will not refill itself with water. If the tank becomes empty, this could cause a buildup of pressure on the inside. You should note that if the water is only off for a small period of time, then you could leave the water heater on.

When working with a water heater, you need to understand its components. You need to know where the drain valve, shutoff valve, pressure relief valves, and heating mechanism are located. In case of a leak, you will not need to shut off your water heater unless you want to save a few bucks. However, you do have the option of turning down the temperature of your water heater. This will save you from having to complete the task of turning it back on, which can be rather timely. It will also take your hot water longer to build up again.

Open Drains and Spigots

The purpose of opening drains and fixtures is to let out the remainder of the water. This is an extra step to ensure that water is directed away from your property and areas prone to water damage. If any of your drains are clogged, you can try opening them up with a plunger. However, make sure that you are doing this gently so that you do not damage your drain. Also, please do not use any chemicals before the plumber arrives because this can cause excess harm as well.

Call a Professional

Do not hesitate to turn to Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air when you have a plumbing emergency. We have been providing quality services in Sacramento County since 1976, and HVAC services since 2012. To back up our claims, we have won the Best of the Best award for nine years straight. The Rocklin Chamber of Commerce also gave us an award called the Business Excellence Award. We offer services such as air conditioning, ventilation, commercial projects, plumbing, indoor air quality, and more. We will be there when you need us most, offering honest, reliable, and dependable service.

Contact Crystal Blue Plumbing, Heating & Air today so that we can handle your plumbing repair needs!