There are few things in homeownership as unexpected and frightening as a plumbing emergency, but if you experiencing a plumbing emergency in Milpitas, we’re here to help. This guide to emergency plumbing for Milpitas homeowners will help you get through your plumbing emergency as smoothly as possible.
Step 1: Call for a Professional Plumber ASAP
When you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency, time is of the essence. Every minute that passes is another minute that water can flow out of control to damage your property. Call a reliable plumbing expert like Performance Plumbing at (415) 831-0348 or (650) 583-3311 to get help immediately.
Remember, all of our friendly plumbing experts is a fully licensed and experienced plumber, so you can rest assured that they’ll know exactly what to do when they show up and will get to work immediately to get things fixed. Avoid freelancers or handymen who aren’t licensed and don’t focus on plumbing, as they may be slower to fix problems they’re unfamiliar with or even possibly make disastrous mistakes.
Step 2: Disable Water Flow for the Whole Home
The best way to stop the damage is to stop the flow of water to the entire property. To do this, you’ll need to locate the main water shutoff valve, which should be located in your basement. If it’s not there, it may be in a utility area of the properly, like a wall or closet outside. Once you’ve found the shutoff valve, turn it clockwise to disable it. Later, you can always reactivate the water by turning the valve the other direction, or you can have the plumbing professional help after they arrive. Remember to tell the plumber that you’ve disabled the water when they arrive, as it will help them understand how to perform their duties based on that information. No matter what you do, do not skip the next step!
Step 3: Be Sure to Deactivate the Water Heater (Important!)
If you’ve disabled the water to the property, it’s important to make sure the water heater is also disabled because it may otherwise fill with steam and crack because it’s no longer filling with water. If professional help hasn’t arrived yet, make sure you perform this important step by first locating your water heater, which is usually also in your basement or utility area of the property. Once you’ve found it, if it’s an electric-powered water heater, you’ll want to switch off the corresponding circuit breaker switch to disable electricity. If you have a gas-powered water heater, disable the pilot light. If you’re uncomfortable with this, or want someone to check your work, be sure to notify the plumbing professional when they arrive so they know what actions you’ve taken so far.
Step 4: Gather Supplies to Mitigate the Problem
While you’re waiting for help to arrive, you can still do what you can to reduce the damage. If there’s still water flowing, use rags and duct tape to slow or completely patch leaks. Use dry towels and buckets to collect and transport water away from the property. Be careful with electric tools like heater or blow driers because electricity and water can be a dangerous mix. You may want to avoid electronics altogether.