Just about everybody at some point is bound to experience some sort of unforeseen plumbing problem that results in the need for some guidance for how to tackle emergency plumbing situations that San Jose households like yours run into from time to time. We’ve put together these emergency plumbing tips San Jose residents like you can use to prepare for and successfully handle such plumbing emergencies.
Remember, if you have an urgent need for professional help during a plumbing emergency, call us immediately at (650) 583-3311 and we’ll send over a friendly plumbing professional immediately to get your plumbing fixed in no time.
Tip 1: Know Where the Main Water Shutoff Valve is and How to Use it
The most important thing you need to do to prepare for plumbing emergencies is to familiarize yourself with the shutoff valve, including where it is located and how to use it.
The main water shutoff valve is usually in a basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of the property, and turning the valve clockwise cuts off the water supply to the entire house.
In a plumbing emergency, using the main shutoff valve to cut off water flow to the plumbing system can help prevent water from flowing out unintended and causing damage.
Note that if you turn off the water from the main valve, you need to turn off the hot water heater as well because pressure and hot water build up inside the unit once the water is off, which could cause it to overheat and/or burst. See the next tip below for instructions.
Tip 2: Know How to Turn Off the Hot Water Heater
If your water heater starts having problems like leaking, it’s important to turn it off – assuming it’s safe to work on without pools of water connected to electrical currents. You need to turn off the water heater before attempting to drain it to prevent scalding or electrocution. Remember, if you’re uncertain about how to approach this, call us to have our team come over and handle it for you.
If you have a gas water heater, turn the switch to the “pilot” position to disable the water heater or turn the dial at the top of the thermostat from the ON to the OFF position. If you’re working with an electric water heater, switch the circuit breaker for the water heater to the OFF position.
Tip 3: Have a Bucket Handy to Collect Water
It may seem obvious, but it’s often forgotten and underrated to always have a bucket handy during a plumbing emergency. Collecting and displacing leaking water can actually help prevent a lot of damage compared to doing nothing at all.
Tip 4: Duct Tape and Rags Can Help as a Temporary Fix
Along the same lines, using rags to cover leaks and binding them with duct tape, or simply using duct tape if possible, can also help mitigate the flow of water from a leak. Try combining this strategy with the bucket strategy to help prevent damage until a more permanent solution can be put in place.
Tip 5: Stay Calm and Get Help if You Need it
It’s okay to call for help – remember that our professional plumbing team is fully licensed and has years of experience repairing plumbing systems across the Bay Area. Calling us for help in an emergency means we’ll send over a friendly plumber immediately to get your plumbing fixed as quickly as possible, all with the high level of quality you would expect from a reputable plumbing company in the community.
We hope these tips help you prepare for an emergency, but remember – we’re always just a quick phone call away during an emergency. Add our phone number to your mobile phone contacts or write it down and stick it on the fridge – it takes just seconds and you’ll be glad you did during a plumbing emergency.