It can be easy to panic in an emergency plumbing situation, but fear not – we’ve prepared some quick tips for emergency plumbing Fremont residents like you can rely on. Our team of plumbing experts has created these tips for emergency plumbing for our Fremont neighbors to help you stay calm and find a quick resolution during stressful plumbing situations.
If you’re having a plumbing emergency right now, we strongly recommend you simply call us immediately at (650) 583-3311 for our super-fast 24/7 emergency plumbing services. We’ll send someone to your location immediately, night or day.
The Main Prize: The Main Shutoff Valve
In a plumbing emergency, the main shutoff valve is your best friend. You should know where this important piece of equipment is before any emergency takes place, but in case you don’t know at the moment, look for it in your basement or somewhere in a utility area, possibly along an outside wall.
The main shutoff valve is crucial in a plumbing emergency because it allows you to disable water flow for the entire property, so no matter where the problem or problems may be, it’s guaranteed to shut off the water flow no matter the location of the issue may be.
To shut off the water flow, turn the valve clockwise – you can always reactivate it later. Note that if there’s a serious leakage occurring, it may take some time for the water already in the pipes to be fully expended.
Don’t be Shy, Call an Expert
Once the main shutoff valve is turned and water starts shutting off across your property, you’ll probably want to call a plumbing expert like Performance Plumbing. Keep in mind that we have 24/7 emergency plumbing services, so we’re ready to help day and night – don’t think twice about what time of day it is. We know plumbing emergencies can happen at all hours, which is why we’re always ready to respond when there’s an urgent need. In a plumbing emergency, you may find it too overwhelming or stressful to try to fix the situation yourself, especially if there’s still water leaking, so we recommend getting professional help for both your peace of mind and also to ensure the quality of repairs.
Cool Things Down by Disabling the Hot Water Heater
With the main shutoff valve activated to shut down water flow to the property, it’s absolutely critical that you disable the hot water heater, otherwise it can build up steam and burst – an expensive and costly nightmare in itself. For electric water heaters, you can locate the nearest circuit breaker and disable the circuit that controls electricity flow to the unit. For gas water heaters, aim to switch the pilot light to “pilot” or find the thermostat on the unit and switch it to the “off” position.
Stop the Leakage with Tools and Supplies
Finally, after you’ve turned off the main water supply, called for professional help, and disabled the hot water heater, grab any tools you have that may be useful. Buckets can help for collecting and transporting water away from the problem, while rags can help soak up water that’s already escaped. Duct tape and rags can be a helpful short-term aid for covering up leaks or cracks in pipes. Help may be on the way, but doing what you can in the meantime can really help prevent the need for more extensive cleanup later.
Good luck! Remember, we’re here to help if you need us – simply call us at (650) 583-3311.