Without a periodic household plumbing inspection by a leading contractor such as Ehret Plumbing & Heating, your home is in greater danger from water damage resulting from leaks that could otherwise have been prevented. If you notice signs like rattling in your walls, areas that always seem to be wet, or water stains on your ceilings or walls you should schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Some leaks develop slowly, and others happen almost instantly, so it is a good idea to know what to do if your plumbing springs a leak.
Check Power Locations
Home plumbing inspections help you protect more than just your plumbing. A sudden plumbing leak may pose a serious risk of short circuits, fire, or even electrocution. If there is any danger of that happening, turn off the circuit breaker(s) for the areas that are affected. If you do not know which breakers to turn off, turn off the main breaker. This may be an inconvenience afterward, but it will not cause any problems you can’t correct after the leak is resolved.
Shut Off Water Supply
Once the electrical danger is resolved, turn off the water in the area. Depending on where the leak is located, there may be a valve nearby, but major leaks such as broken pipes probably require turning off the main water line to the home. Sinks, toilets, and water heaters typically have independent shut-off valves. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the valve locations in your home beforehand so that you can stop the flow quickly.
Call Your Plumber
Call Ehret Plumbing & Heating residential plumbing service to make a service request. Provide as much information about the leak as you are able, and if the leak is a major problem notify the plumbers that it needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. If you were not able to shut off the water for any reason, make sure that the company is aware of it.
Clear Area Near Leak
Move any furniture, linen, or other items away from the leaking area to provide plenty of access to the area. It is better to remove everything prior to trying to dry the area because it reduces potential damage to your furniture, plus the area under that stuff may be wet as well.
Remove Water
Remove as much of the water as you can from the affected area. The sooner the area has been dried, the less potential there is for water damage to your walls, floors, and even the ceilings below the leak. A wet vac is the fastest way to remove a lot of water, but mops or other absorbent materials will work.
It may not prevent every leak, but having licensed and insured home plumbing contractors perform a household plumbing inspection can make a difference. Proactively maintaining your home’s plumbing may be the difference between a broken pipe and a major renovation.
Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating
Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.