We’ve all been there–your plumbing system starts to leak water, or your sink just abruptly stops working. It’s a tale as old as time and it’s existed ever since people invented the idea of plumbing systems.
Even in ancient Rome, people relied on aqueducts using gravity to bring freshwater to the many colossal buildings of the capitol. But every now and then there were problems like leaks and contaminants, just like there are today.
But with the gift of the internet, we have access to guides like these that can help you get through a plumbing emergency step by step. Our 24-hour emergency plumbers in Cedar Rapids can get your home back up and running in no time, as long as you follow these instructions and work with us. We’ve seen problems like these every year, and our team specializes in providing rapid care for customers who need it.
The Step By Step Guide to a Plumbing Disaster
First, you can make things a lot easier by calling our team and getting that out of the way. You can find our number on any page on this website, and we even have a “Contact Us” page that makes submitting something online as easy as possible. But calling on the phone and hearing a real-life person respond might be better in the event of an emergency.
Once you’ve done that, you can follow these steps to ensure that your home stays safe, secure, and you minimize the damage that’s done.
- Identify the type of emergency plumbing problem you’re dealing with. Is your sewer backed up and causing contaminants to flow upwards into your first-story drains? Have your appliances been unable to get any water? Is there a gushing leak in the basement? These are all plumbing emergencies, but they’re very different from one another. A plumber will need to know what type of emergency you’re dealing with in order to provide the proper solution.
- Survey the damage. Take a walk through your house and try to look even in the dark corners, closets, and crawlspaces. Water can sometimes flow through walls, ceilings, or floors, doing damage to everything in its path, so you’ll want to thoroughly check your home. This can fill a plumber in on how bad the problem is and the places to target.
- Turn the water off. This is optional if you’ve got a clogged drain or sewer, but for leaks you’ll want to turn off your home’s access to water. This will help minimize the damage done.
- Check your finances. One of the most stressful things about a plumbing emergency is how much it might cost. While this should be secondary to keeping your home safe and comfortable, it’s an unavoidable part of this kind of situation. A quick check on your finances can make you feel better, knowing you’ve got a clear budget. Our team also provides financing to help you in case you need additional support.
- Clean up and wait for a pro. Use towels, buckets, cleaning supplies, gloves, and other materials to capture leaking water, clear the area, and ensure that no mold is allowed to grow. This should keep things relatively safe and clean for a master plumber to arrive and alleviate the issue.
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.