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Dealing with Plumbing Emergencies

Anytime Plumbing has put together this short guide to help consumers deal with common plumbing emergencies that you may run into in your home or business. While we offer the advice herein, please note that the most effective way to handle a plumbing emergency is under the guidance of a licensed and insured plumbing professional.

Plumbing emergencies include things like a toilet that is overflowing or a burst pipe inside the shower wall that must have immediate attention. What do you do when things like this happen? First, and most important, do not go into panic mode over the situation. Second, be sure to follow these tips from Anytime Plumbing to make sure the emergency is handled and your problem is solved quickly.

Check Your Lines!

Before an emergency arises, it is very important to check your water lines including those coming into the home, running throughout the house and even the meter at the road. Label the pipes if they are in a basement or crawl space so you know exactly where each individual pipe leads. Water lines are extremely important to label so you know which lines you may need to shut off in case of an emergency situation.

Turn the water off. If you have access to the water supply coming into the home or business with the emergency, shut it off immediately. Your water supply shut off valve is typically located either at the street (where the meter reader stops to read the meter) or even in the basement. You may even have a shut off valve situated on the exterior of your home.

Call a Licensed Plumber. Too often, people take plumbing tasks and attempt to repair them on their own. If you are a plumber or you genuinely know what you are doing, then go ahead and tackle that repair and get it fixed. If you’re not a plumber and you might be using a little guesswork to fix the issue, then for the sake of your home or business as well as your wallet, call a plumber when you first notice a problem.

Take items away from the water. If you have anything sitting in the path of a water leak, remove it immediately. This includes things like rugs, clothing, wooden furnishings or electronics. If electronics have gotten wet, they need to be unplugged immediately and removed from the area and taken to a location that they will easily dry. Be very careful if you plan to use any electrical appliances or other items that have gotten wet.

Clean the water up. As quickly as possible, take time to clean all water up from the floors, walls or other areas where the plumbing emergency occurred. Water damage can happen fast and if left to itself, the water can lead to mildew, mold and rotting structures. Damage from water can destroy a home or business. Use a pump or even a ShopVac to suck the excess water up and then spot dry with towels to soak up the rest. It is a good idea to use fans and heat to ensure the water dries up completely. You need the water to evaporate entirely before replacing any drywall or flooring that may have been damaged due to the water.

Don’t Let It Happen Again.

Once you notice a problem and have it repaired by a plumber, be sure to take steps to ensure it will not happen again. Your plumber can let you know if you need to replace other pipes or other plumbing pieces in the system, and if recommended, it is best to go ahead and have the work taken care of so you won’t run into the same situation again.

Water Heater Leaks

A water heater with a small leak may seem like something you can ignore. After all, how much damage can a small leak really do? The answer to that is simple when talking about water heaters. A small leak can cause destruction of anything near the water heater, including your home!

A water heater leaking in the basement can damage the floor around it, but it can also cause major structural damage to the foundation of a home. The longer the leak goes undetected or ignored, the more damage the home may have.

Dampness, or flooding in a basement from a leaky water heater can cause mold to sprout and this can lead to health issues in people who suffer from asthma or other breathing problems including C.O.P.D.

CALL A PLUMBER!

If you have a leaky water heater, the best thing to do is call a plumber to have it repaired immediately.

A leak in a water heater will not go away on its own and it will not get better over time. It will get worse and if left unattended, it will ruin your home.

Steps to Take with a Leaky Water Heater

  • Shut off the power to the water heater immediately (For gas heaters, turn them off)
  • Shut the water supply going to the water heater off
  • Determine where the water is leaking from the water heater
  • Call a plumber to repair or replace the water heater

Water heater leaks can be destructive to your home from the water that has leaked but water heaters themselves have been known to explode when the pressure is too high. Having your water heater checked by a licensed plumber can ensure it is working correctly.

For plumbing services to your home in the Santa Cruz County area, be sure to contact a plumbing specialist with Anytime Plumbing so you can be connected with the best plumbing company in your area. To contact a specialist, you can call 831-431-6593.

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Amer Zaghlouleh is the owner of Anytime Plumbing Inc., a trusted plumbing company serving Santa Cruz County. With a focus on delivering quality work and reliable service, Amer has established himself as a respected professional in the industry. He believes in providing honest and trustworthy plumbing solutions to every customer, ensuring their satisfaction and peace of mind. With years of experience and a commitment to staying updated with the latest technical advances, Amer and his team at Anytime Plumbing Inc. are fully equipped to handle any plumbing job with precision and efficiency. Trust in Amer's expertise and dedication for all your plumbing needs.

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