Take Immediate Steps Before Help Arrives
When a floor drain starts gurgling in the middle of a spring storm, or if the sump pump in the basement won’t quit running, it’s no joke. When you realize the water isn’t going anywhere, and you’re looking down the barrel at potential water damage, call for help.
Other plumbing emergencies are just as concerning, from water heaters that fail without warning to frozen pipes that burst, something the Guardian walks through at https://www.nytimes.com/, behind a wall. If a plumbing system doesn’t operate correctly, it’s easy for a simple fix to become an expensive repair after the fact.
The following steps are a must, as they can mitigate losses when the situation turns dire.
- Protect the family. Never walk into a room where water may be in contact with an electrical appliance, electrical outlet or your electrical panel, as this may result in shock or worse. Do not clear a backup or clean up water if it may have contacted an electrical device, and if it may be contaminated. If you think there is contamination, get out of the area immediately.
- Stop active leaks. If you’re dealing with a burst supply line or a failed water heater, shutting off the main water valve will prevent water from continuing to escape from the source.
- Stop using water. If there is a clog or backup, do not use the sink, dishwasher or flush the toilet in an effort to ease the backup situation.
- Protect your belongings. Pick up electronics, paper products and items that are known to absorb moisture as quickly as possible.
You can call the best emergency plumber in Des Moines, IA to advise on the situation and be able to provide instructions to help minimize the loss while you wait for emergency service to your home.
Stop the Damage From Spreading
After ensuring that the home is safe to enter and no further water is moving into the system, the plumber will work to find the source of the water or the point of failure.
In some cases, the plumber will need to know whether the drains in the home are clogged or if the sump pump pit filled. In other cases, it will be important to understand where in a home or on a water line a freeze occurred, or if it’s actually a problem with the main line to the street.
Residential plumbing system
In the latter case, for example, it’s likely a sewer line backup, a more difficult situation. If there has been a backup into the home, 1-Tom-Plumber will make sure the drains are clear before taking the next step.
The process could mean a quick repair job, or it could mean the plumber unclogs the drains now and schedules another visit to identify the larger problem.
Expect a Diagnosis With Clear Options
When the plumber has completed the work, the homeowner will have a better understanding of what’s happening, from:
- What happened to the system?
- What is being done to correct the immediate concern?
- What will need to be corrected in the short term?
- What may contribute to problems in the future?
This will help the homeowner understand whether there are preventive measures to put in place to keep the problem from happening again, and what to pay special attention to in the future.
Do not use a chemical drain cleaner; it may not reach the blockage if the problem is on the main line and it may damage certain pipes. Chemical drain openers create a safety hazard for the plumber.
Gather information to help the plumber diagnose your problem. Which fixtures are causing the problem? Have the symptoms of a sewer backup started after periods of heavy rain? Do any neighbors have similar problems?
Prepare your work area, so the plumber will have immediate access for inspection, including keeping children and pets out of the area. If it is safe, make sure the plumber will be able to access the shutoff, sump pump, water heater or exterior cleanout.
Finally, take note of when everything happened, any shutoffs you performed, and what visible damage exists. This can be helpful for an insurance claim and provide your plumber with useful background information, particularly in cases of intermittent backups or poor drainage during a storm.
Monitor the Repair and Schedule Follow-Up Work
After a plumbing repair, it’s important to watch for problems for at least 24 hours, especially if there was a problem with a specific water line or a water heater. Also, watch to make sure the sump pump starts and stops properly.
If 1-Tom-Plumber has done an emergency repair and has recommended further service, be sure to schedule that work before the next freeze or storm season. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the work area for documentation and reference in case there is an insurance claim later.
