The last thing that you want to deal with after a long and hectic day at work is a plumbing emergency. Unfortunately, plumbing emergencies happen when you least expect them. This is why it is beneficial to have your home's plumbing system regularly checked in order to minimise the chances of you being surprised by such emergencies.
But what should you do if you encounter a plumbing emergency? Certainly, your best recourse would be to call in an emergency plumber in order to remedy the problem and prevent unnecessary damage to your property.
Do your homework first
One crucial mistake that many homeowners commit is to search for an emergency plumber only when a problem arises. The problem here is that this translates to waste valuable time. Remember, in a plumbing emergency, every second count and the time spent searching online or leafing through the phone book translates to more time lost.
Do your homework ahead of time and find a reputable plumber before you even need one. If you make the necessary preparation, you can turn your attention to containing the problem before the professionals arrive.
What to look for in an emergency plumber
The first thing that you want to look for in a plumbing company is its readiness to deploy its personnel, whatever the day or time. It does not matter how good a plumbing company is if there is no one manning the telephone lines or if its employees are on a holiday.
Next, look for a plumbing company that is ready to deploy its plumber. This means that they have vehicles, tools, equipment and replacement materials at the ready.
Be sure to take a look at the company's reputation, both online and offline. Check reviews and testimonials in order to better assess the quality of service, professionalism and promptness of potential companies on your shortlist.
What you can do before the plumber arrives
Of course, your plumber does not and should not have to bear the brunt of the work associated with dealing with plumbing emergencies. Here, it is crucial to think of these as similar to other types of emergencies — you need to perform first aid in order to contain the problem before the pros arrive and limit the damage to your home and property.
For example, if you are dealing with a burst pipe or blocked toilet, the most important thing that you can do to help the plumber is to cut the water supply. Typically, the mains supplying water to fixtures are located near this. If you cannot locate these, you have to shut off the water mains.
Next, try to remove as much water and mess with the problem area. While plumbers can do this for you, that will only shave off valuable time that can be used toward solving the problem. Additionally, give your plumber ample legroom by removing furniture and other property that can impede their movement. If you have kids or pets in your home, make them stay in a different area in the home.
If you need immediate plumbing service, do not hesitate to give a Top4 affiliated plumber a call right away so they can fix whatever emergency situation you are in right now!