Plumbing Emergency

What To Do in A Plumbing Emergency

When faced with a plumbing emergency that involves a burst pipe or a leak these are the steps to take to avoid or limit collateral damage in your home.

1. 1.Shut off water supply
2. 2.Call a licensed plumber
3. 3.Clean up standing water

Locate and shut off water supply

Toilets

A toilet uses only cold water. A single shutoff is located behind the toilet on a pipe or tube which runs from the wall up to the toilet tank. Turn the handle clockwise to shut off the water supply.

Sinks

Sinks have both hot and cold water supply lines that run from a wall under the sink to the faucet. Each supply line has a shutoff valve. Turn off the water supply on both of these by turning the handles in a clockwise direction.

Water Heaters

A shutoff valve must be installed on the cold/inlet line of a water heater. In the event that your water heater is leaking you should shut off the cold water supply to the water heater. This will reduce the pressure and slow the leak.

Appliances

Washing machines, dishwashers, and other appliances have water shutoff valves although in some instances these may be hard to locate. In those cases it may be better to shut off the main water supply.

Pipes

With a leaking pipe it’s generally advised to turn off the main water supply. That is unless you can easily find a shutoff valve for that section of pipe.

Water Main

In any situation involving a water leak shutting off the water supply at the water main will stop the flow of water. In some situations this is the safest and fastest option especially when shutoff valves are either not responding or are hard to locate. Also if the leak is on the supply side of the shutoff valve or the valve itself is leaking shutting off the water at the main is the only solution.

Call A Licensed Plumber

Once you have the flow of water under control it’s time to call a professional plumber. Not just any plumber. For an emergency situation it’s best to call a plumber who has the knowledge and experience to repair the problem quickly with the least amount of disruption to your household.

Residents in the Boston area would be wise to call Absolute Precision Plumbing Heating & Cooling. We’re an award winning service provider located North of Boston with a track record of outstanding customer service since 1985.

You deserve help with your problem right away. Absolute Precision has a fleet of fully stocked service vehicles, manned by qualified technicians, ready to answer your call, diagnose the problem, and repair your plumbing issue promptly. You can expect us to arrive on time and that repairs to your plumbing system are up to the highest standards.

Prevent Collateral Damage

With the leak stopped and a plumber on the way you’ll want to limit or prevent possible damage to interior walls, ceilings, or floors. That could lead to thousands of dollars in unnecessary repair costs. This is also time for a safety check to make sure that electrical systems are safe and have not been compromised.

For leaks in areas with electrical devices, such as a garbage disposal under a kitchen sink, turn off the breaker for that device. Also do not operate electrical devices while standing in or adjacent to water.

Clean up standing water using towels or a wet/dry vacuum. Pay particular attention to areas where water can seep into cavities or dark spaces in which mold could potentially grow.

If your issue is heating system related call 978-774-8835 or learn more about heating system repair.

For problems with air conditioning call us or visit air conditioning repair.

Emergency Preparation

It’s far better to prevent a disastrous plumbing situation in the first place. But there is Murphy’s law so the next best thing you can do is to be prepared. Five or ten minutes of plumbing emergency preparation can make a huge difference in the amount of collateral damage inflicted from a burst or broken pipe or other leak.

Being prepared in the event of an emergency plumbings situation means that every household member knows:

• •The location of water shutoff valves including at the water main
• •How to shut off the hot water heater
• •The phone number of your trusted local plumber

Family and household members should be prepared to stop the bleeding by shutting off the water supply and the water heater and then call the plumber. Many households already have a plumber lined up who they know, like, and trust. If that’s the case make sure his phone number is readily available. If you do not have a reliable plumber then now is the time to find one. Once you do make sure each family member has that phone number in their phone.

Absolute Precision Since 1985

An award winning contractor with expertise in plumbing, heating, and air conditioning we carry an A+ rating with the BBB. We’ve been delivering Absolute Precision in the North of Boston area since 1985. Residents count on us for rapid response, affordable rates, and outstanding customer service.
Our primary service area includes:
Andover, North Andover, Boxford, Topsfield, Middleton, Danvers, Beverly, Peabody, Lynnfield, North Reading, Reading, Wilmington, Tewksbury, Wakefield, Melrose, Stoneham, Woburn, Winchester,Medford, Malden, and Saugus.