A Guide on What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency

In an ideal world, your home’s plumbing systems would remain problem-free forever. Unfortunately, plumbing emergencies are a fact of life. Taps drip, pipes can leak, and drains can eventually clog, and the only way to survive plumbing emergencies to know what to do and who to call. 

Plumbing Emergency 101: What You Need to Do

When you’re faced in an emergency plumbing situation, then call your local plumber immediately! If you don’t have one, and you live near the Byron Bay area, then you can contact us here at Fantastic Plumbing. We handle all plumbing concerns, from dripping taps to blocked drains in Byron Bay, Ballina Shires, and other surrounding areas!

The next thing you’ll need to do is to determine the exact nature of your plumbing concern; this part is usually straightforward and self-explanatory. Plumbers readily address the most common plumbing emergencies, like clogged sinks, toilets, or shower drains. You typically don’t have to do anything besides turning off the tap or closing the valves beneath your sink.

Bigger Emergencies: Shutting Off the Water Supply

However, some plumbing emergencies, like broken water lines or burst water pipes, require more immediate action on your part. In such instances, you will need to locate and shut off the main water supply line. 

Where is my main water supply line?

Knowing the location of your main water supply line and how to shut it off is essential to avoid flooding your home—and, not to mention, avoid having to deal with a huge water bill too!

If you live in a single-family detached home, your main water line is usually outside, located close to your water meter, near your home’s boundary. Depending on your plumbing system’s exact configuration, you may need to turn a knob or nut counterclockwise to close it off. 

 If you live in an apartment complex or condo unit, you can try looking for it under your kitchen or laundry sink. Otherwise, call your building manager immediately. 

What about my electrical appliances?

If your plumbing emergency was isolated to a specific part of the house, such as the bathroom or the kitchen, you would only need to check for any plugged appliances there. Ensure that nearby electrical appliances are turned off and unplugged to avoid damage. If you can move the appliances and devices away from the area altogether, then that’s a better action to take.

However, should there be low-lying devices submerged in the water, then steer clear of that area altogether! The underlying water can be potentially harmful to you, so avoid coming in contact with it. Instead, go to your main breaker and cut off power in that specific area.

Should I try to fix the issue myself?

This ultimately depends on the severity of the emergency. You can try using a plunger to address clogged toilet or sink—but not much else. Home tools, such as drain snakes and augers, can sometimes help fix the problem, but these may also damage your pipes if improperly handled. 

As such, unless you have working experience with plumbing, you should leave the issue to your local plumber. In case of broken or burst pipes, the only thing you can do is shut off the water main and wait until your plumber arrives!

Conclusion 

The trouble about plumbing emergencies is that they never give you any signs of trouble until it’s too late. With most pipes tucked away, out of mind and out of sight, the most serious problems are emergencies that need to be fixed by a professional. By having your local plumbers on-call, you can ensure that your plumbing emergency will be taken care of in no time. 

If you’re looking for emergency plumbers in Byron Bay, then Fantastic Plumbing is the one you’re looking for! We’re the best plumbers in Byron Bay, Ballina Shires, and surrounding areas. Get in touch with us today!