We will examine several types of plumbing emergencies you might encounter. In plumbing emergencies such as leaks the first thing to do is cut off the water supply. You need to familiarize yourself as to the location of the shut off valve and how to access it before a plumbing emergency arises. It is usually located outside the house near the street.
If you have a pipe that leaks or breaks the main valve should be shut off. If you have to turn off the main water supply you should immediately turn off the power to your hot water heater. Failure to do so could result in possible greater damage to your system.
If you discover a frozen pipe, slowly thaw it with warm air from a hair dryer or heat tape. Do not thaw with high heat. An alternative solution for thawing frozen pipes is to wrap the frozen pipe with towels and pour very hot water over the towels. To prevent frozen pipes it is a good idea to leave a faucet on with a slight drip during the time the pipes are likely to freeze.
If your tub, sink or shower clogs, you should turn off the faucet that flows to the drain. First, try to unstop the clog with a plunger. If that fails to unstop the drain and you decide to use a plumber’s snake use extreme care since the snake might damage the fixtures.
If you have a clogged toilet you can use a plunger. Push the plunger up and down in the toilet to force pressure against the clog to flush it out. Do not flush the toilet. You might also try pouring cold water directly into the toilet. Do not use warm or hot water, it will crack the toilet bowl. Again, you can always use the plumber’s snake as a last resort, taking care to prevent possible damage to the porcelain.
Finally, if you are unable to repair the problem, you should contact a professional plumber.
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