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How to Save Time During a Plumbing Emergency

No matter how organized your home is, a plumbing emergency has a tendency to bring chaos to any household. It is much worse when you don't know where everything is. As for your plumbing system, there are all kinds of hidden things you have never taken any notice of, such as safety features that allow you to turn off water and power in the event of an emergency. Understanding the options will help you prevent disaster in the event of an overflow or leak.

Read this now, and remember it when something goes wrong. There's a lot you can do to prevent disaster while you wait for the emergency plumber to show up.

Save Time & Prevent Disaster During a Plumbing Emergency

Most homes have a variety of options available for shutting off the water. The best option you choose will depend on where the leak is situated. Here are the most likely sources of leaks inside a home:

Leaks in Water Pipes

Pipes often break, especially during winter. When a pipe under the house or inside a wall cracks or bursts, it usually sends water rushing into the home. If this happens, the best thing to do is to find the main water shut off and close it. This will shut off the water supply to the entire home. Most often, the main shut off will be in a box buried under the ground near the street, or in the garage or utility closet. Ideally, you should familiarize yourself with the location and function ahead of time, so that you are prepared in the event of an emergency.

Leaks Under the Sink

Most often, the water lines coming into the kitchen and bathroom are hidden in the cabinets. These pipes usually have a valve that you can close off in the event that there's a leak. Simply reach in, and close the valve to prevent more water from leaking. This means that you can rest assured that no more water will leak while you wait for the emergency plumber to arrive.

Leaks From Appliances

Water-using appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher and ice maker in the refrigerator are connected to the water supply and can therefore spring leaks. All these appliances should have a small shut-off valve in the back, usually near the point at which water enters the unit.

Never assume that you know exactly where everything is in your home. Do a monthly plumbing inspection and familiarize yourself with the locations of all the emergency shut-offs, as well as your water main supply. This can save valuable time in the event of a plumbing emergency, and it can help prevent a lot of inconvenient and costly water damage.

Bonus Tip: Check the fine print on your homeowners insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for a variety of plumbing emergencies. If not, it will benefit you to start an emergency savings fund specifically for plumbing emergencies.

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Written by Anta

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