Seattle Emergency Plumber

1. Turn off the water supply.

Turning off the water supply is the first step in dealing with any plumbing emergency that involves a broken pipe or overflowing plumbing fixture. Many sinks have shut-off valves located in the cabinet beneath the sink. Toilets usually have shut-off valves beneath them. Turn these valves clockwise to shut off the flow of water.

You may need to turn off the main water valve for more serious problems, such as a burst water supply pipe. This shutoff valve is usually near the front of a residential property, though it can also be located in the garage, in the basement, by the water meter, or within a front closet. It’s a good idea to know where your main shutoff valve is before there is a plumbing emergency. Turning the valve clockwise halts the water supply to the entire building. In commercial settings, main water shutoff valves are typically found along the perimeter or outer walls of the building. 

Warning: If your electrical power is on, avoid entering flooded areas to reach the main water valve. Instead, call a plumber and make them aware of the potential hazard, as they are trained to handle such situations.

2. Turn off power and gas.

Water and electricity do not mix well. In the event of a flood, turn off the electricity and gas supply to the structure if you can do so safely. Otherwise, vacate the water-affected area and allow a professional plumber or electrician to manage power and gas shutoffs. It may even be necessary to contact your utility company.

3. Deactivate the water heater.

If your water heater is in a basement or otherwise in danger of becoming submerged by a flood, turn off your water heater if it is safe to do so. Likewise, leaving an electric water heater operational without a water supply increases the risk of the tank overheating or burning out the unit’s heating element. 

4. Locate the water source.

Identify where the water comes from. Sometimes, this is easy: A backed-up sink is easy to notice. In other situations, however, you may have difficulty finding the water source. Walls, flooring, or ceilings often hide broken plumbing pipes. 

5. Minimize the damage.

If you can contain the spread of water, you’ll limit potential water damage. Use buckets to catch water from leaky pipes and towels to mop up spreading water. For more serious emergencies, such as a sewer backup, your ability to contain the damage will be limited, as dealing with wastewater poses the potential for serious health problems. Leave anything involving gray water (dirty or contaminated water) or black water (sewer-contaminated water) to the professionals. 

6. Clear the surrounding area of things and people.

Clearing obstructions from around a plumbing problem helps plumbers get right to work. For instance, if the problem lies with a bathroom sink, take everything out of the sink cabinet. For severe floods or sewer backups, keep people and pets away from the affected area to prevent contact with contaminated water and possible exposure to live electricity.

7. Call an Emergency Plumber Company 

Homeowners and facility maintenance personnel can handle minor plumbing issues but should avoid attempting DIY solutions during serious water emergencies. Such efforts, even if well-intentioned, can exacerbate the problem, complicate insurance claims, and endanger people’s health. To learn more, explore 4 Reasons You Need an Emergency Plumber.