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If your pipes have sprung a sudden, worrying leak or your toilet has a back-up and is starting to overflow, it can be hard to know what immediate actions to take. Besides calling for an emergency plumber ASAP, you can work to minimize any water damage. The guide below explains how you can help the situation.

What to Do If You Have a Plumbing Emergency

1. Shut Off the Water

Shut off your main water valve. This is usually located in the basement. If you don’t have a basement, it may be located on an outside wall near your hot water heater or kitchen sink. Turn it clockwise to shut it off to reduce the amount of water that will soak into your floors or potentially harm your belongings.

emergency plumber2. Turn on Your Outside Spigots

It’s possible for water to remain in your pipes even after closing your main water valve. You can drain this water away by opening your outside spigots or water hoses.

3. Shut Off Your Hot Water Heater

Without water pumping through your system, your gas hot water heater may overheat the water it currently has in the tank, increasing the risk of it bursting. Therefore, turn it off as well. Electric water heaters should not have the same issue.

4. Clean Up Any Leaks

Once the water is shut off, any puddles that have formed inside shouldn’t be able to get any bigger. However, the standing water that is already there can harm flooring materials, interact dangerously with electronics, and is a slipping hazard. Therefore, while waiting for your emergency plumber to arrive, attempt to sop up as much of it as you can using towels. Place a bucket under any pipes that continue dripping.

 

In need of someone who can quickly fix your pipes and get your household back to running as normal? Turn to the emergency plumbers at Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Drain Service. This family-owned and -operated company provides service within a 35-mile radius of Kalispell, MT. You can visit their website for more on their capabilities or contact them at (406) 752-1244 for 24-hour plumbing assistance.

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