Are you planning on hosting a dinner party or out of town guests for the holidays this year? If so, you are probably hurrying around trying to get all of the items on your list checked off. Things like getting groceries, making up the guest room, preparing the food in the days leading up to the event.
The motivation is not to cause problems or plumbing failures but, your plumbing system is very delicate – despite the material that it handles – and can succumb to a plumbing emergency fairly easily. If your plumbing system breaks down this holiday season, make sure to follow these steps:
- Shut the water off to the failing fixture. If the overflow, clog, or flooding is concentrated in just one area or fixture, make sure to turn the water off to that area. This will help to limit the amount of water damage that your home will sustain. This is a very helpful step to reduce the amount of stress about the situation as well, because no one will be worrying about how to clean up or stop the water.
- Always make sure to stay calm when a plumbing emergency arises. Unfortunately, a plumbing emergency usually means that your activities have to come to a stop. But, not always. If you have more than one toilet then a clogged toilet can be worked around. It is a nuisance but, not a tragedy. Having a clog in the kitchen sink can cause a serious problem however, Regardless of where the plumbing emergency is in your home, make sure that you maintain the same level of calm.
- Once you have turned the water off and contained the emergency, contact your plumber. When you call a plumber for help, make sure that you give him or her as much information as you can about your situation. Include information about any kind of interventions that you have tried. Avoid pouring any chemicals down a clogged drain and make your plumbing aware if you have done so.
Having a plumbing emergency can add to the stress of the holiday season, no doubt. But, most plumbing emergencies can be handled quickly and efficiently by a licensed and professional plumber. Make sure that you keep the name and number of your local emergency plumbing close at hand so that you can call if an emergency arises.
