A plumbing leak is one of those common household inconveniences that often show up at when you least expect it. If you are lucky, the plumbing leak will cause little to no damage and require only a quick fix. However, it can also cause major damage that could send you panicking and scrambling to find a professional plumber through an Emergency Plumber Finder website. While plumbing leaks are a common occurrence, you can control the damage that it can potentially cause by doing regular pipe maintenance inspection or at least have the pros do it for you.
Plumbing leaks can also be a little tricky because it is not always easy to spot. There are several signs that you need to keep an eye out for, and these include a sudden spike in your water utility bill, staining on the walls or ceiling and a wet wall. If you do spot a leak, the last thing that you want to do is to try to fix the problem yourself. Unless you have the skills and the right tools for the job, it is best that you leave the job to experienced plumbers.
Although you could probably fix most minor plumbing issues yourself, nothing beats hiring a professional to get the job done. For example, if I’m looking to hire a licensed plumber in Toronto I’d usually go with Absolute Draining & Plumbing. They’ve already worked with thousands of happy customers, and their flat-rate pricing is a no-brainer. When it comes to plumbing, you ideally want to find a company that you can continue using again and again.
With that said, the most important step for you to take when handling a plumbing leak is to find a dependable and licensed plumber even before the problem shows up. If possible, have the plumber do minor, non-emergency plumbing work in your home to establish a connection with your plumber. Here are some steps to take to handle a plumbing leak while waiting for a plumber.
Shut Off the Main Water Supply Valve
Chances are that your plumber would have given you instructions on what to do while he or she is on the way to your home. In the meantime, he or she may instruct you to go to your main water supply valve and shut it off. Alternatively, if there is an isolation valve near the area that is leaking, you can shut it from the isolation valve to keep water service to other areas in the house.
Turn Off the Water Heater
The heat will continue to build up in the water heater even after you cut off the water supply to it. The unit will overheat and may cause damage to itself or other connected items in your home.
Turn on Outdoor Faucets and Spigots
This will help release water and water pressure that are still in the pipes, and away from the source of the leak.
Drain or Mop Excess Water
If your plumber instructs you to do so, drain or soak up any pool of water that may have accumulated because of the leak. This will help make the plumber’s job easier.
The internet is full of instructions on how to “fix” leaking pipes, and they appear to be simple to do. Products like pipe sealing tape often advertise how effective they are. While such remedies may look easy and sound appealing, they are risky and are merely temporary fixes. Resist the urge to fix the pipe yourself and trust your plumber with the job. You’ll be thankful that you did.
