Plumbing emergencies such as a blocked drain, burst pipe or leaking toilet can occur suddenly, at any time and without warning. Homeowners and renters alike are bound to face emergency plumbing issues at some point or another – be it water gushing across the floor indicating a leak or a burst pipe, or sewage rising from drains indicating a blockage.
Although a plumbing emergency can be scary at times, there are steps which can be taken to quickly resolve these and minimize damage. Once you have taken steps to stop water flowing or remove a blockage, it is advisable to call an emergency plumbing specialist such as those at Plumbers 4 U to provide a more permanent solution to the problem. These 24-hour plumbers, based in North London, provide assistance in plumbing emergencies in Brent, Camden, Enfield, Barnet and St. Albans, and can swiftly respond to calls morning and night to quickly and easily repair problems.
If you see any signs of burst, leaking or blocked plumbing, simply follow the relevant steps below to prevent further damage to your property before contacting a plumbing expert for repairs.
Shut the Main Valve: The first thing to do in the case of a plumbing emergency is to locate and switch off the main shutoff valve of the house. Normally, the valve is located near the water meter. By turning off the shutoff valve, you will be able to instantly stop the water supply, and thus stop the flood.
Individual Fixture Supply: Your home may have valves controlling the water supply to the individual fixtures, which will allow you to shut off the water supply to the individual appliances. This will allow you to use other fittings in the house whilst stopping the flow of water to the affected area. It is also advisable to have these individual valves checked once every year to ensure that they are in fine working order and to avoid any emergency.
Blocked Drains and Toilets: This is another common plumbing emergency that a household faces. For small obstructions, you may wish to use a plunger to clear clogs and blockages. For larger blockages or where flooding has occurred due to the blockage, it is advisable to contact an emergency plumbing expert such as Plumbers 4 U.
Frozen Pipes: During the winter season, a frozen pipe can cause panic; because such an emergency will not only leave you without any water but also put your pipes at risk of bursting. Using a small heater or a hairdryer to thaw the frozen pipes is a good idea. If the problem reoccurs, or the frozen pipes are in walls, restricting your access, it may be a better idea to seek the advice of a professional plumbing expert.
Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to prevent further damage to your property during a plumbing emergency, contact your local emergency plumbers like Plumbers 4 U right away to carry out repairs. Whether it’s a leaking toilet in the dead of night or a blocked drain first thing in the morning, by using their 24-hour emergency plumbing services in the North London area, you will be able to control any plumbing disasters and avoid any needless damage to your home.