Plumbing Emergency 101

Plumbing emergencies can be bad news. Whether your basement is flooding or your toilet won’t stop over flowing, there are few things worse than having your plumbing system backfire on you. Luckily, with a little background knowledge and some basic preparation, your next plumbing emergency doesn’t have to be quite as bad.

Keep Supplies on Hand

Keeping things like a plunger, a large bucket, rags and a mop on hand can help quite a bit in an emergency. If something is leaking, you don’t want to spend precious minutes searching for a bucket to catch the water. Other tools to keep near by include Teflon tape, a pipe wrench, a plumbing snake, and basic tools like screwdrivers and a hammer.

Know Your Plumber

In an emergency, it’s vital that you get in touch with a professional as quickly as possible. At Pat Dolan Plumbing, the premiere plumber in 11757, Lindenhurst, New York, we offer 24-hour emergency services. Keep your plumber’s phone number in a convenient place like the refrigerator, inside a cupboard door or even on speed dial.

Shut it Off

You should already know where the main water shut-off valve is in your home. If you don’t, locate it right away. During an emergency, you may need to turn your water off until a plumber can come investigate what is going wrong. Even if you aren’t sure if you need to shut your water off, it doesn’t hurt to take precautions against water damage.

Stop the Overflow

One handy tip that few people know is that they can quite easily stop a toilet from overflowing. If the water in a toilet is nearing over flow, turn the cold water on in the bathroom sink or bathtub. This will slow down the rising water in the toilet while you use the main shut-off valve to turn the water completely off.

Keep an Eye on Things

Of course, the best emergency tip is to prevent plumbing problems to begin with. Frequently check your plumbing for leaks or clogged drains. You should also keep things like you water heater and sump pump it top shape by having a professional do regular maintenance.

Plumbing problems can quickly turn in to a damaging and costly disaster. Water can quickly flow out of broken pipes, damage appliances and ruin your foundation or dry wall. Knowing what to do in case of one of these emergencies can help stop the problem before it gets out of control. For regular maintenance, and a top-quality plumber in 11757, Lindenhurst, contact us at 516-798-8943.