A Guide on What To Do
Most people know the drill, even if they have only seen it on sitcoms.
You wake up in the morning and see a leak coming through your ceiling, right underneath where your bathroom or water tank is. Not a great start to the day!
While it can be tempting to try and resolve these issues yourself, it can end up doing more harm than good, meaning that in the long run, you may end up paying more for any repairs that need to be made. So, of course, the first step is to call a plumber, but what do you do until they arrive?
Here is a short guide to help keep your home intact!
Turn the Water Off
It sounds obvious, but so many people forget to do this. When you call emergency plumbing bethesda md like Beehive Plumbing, they will likely advise you to do this straight away, just to save on your water bill and to prevent any further damage to your home.
If you have a major leak and you cannot tell where it is coming from, shut off your property’s water valve. If the leak is more localized, like a toilet, shut off the water supply to that area and mop up the puddles.
Check The Heater
If there is an extensive leak, it is likely that the water heater is working overtime. So, you will need to check the heater to ensure that it is not damaged as, in some cases, this can cause the leak itself.
It will also prevent overheating and bursting of the heater, which is something you don’t want to have to replace as well as having repairs made!
Control the Small Leaks
Whether it is coming out from under a sink, through the ceiling, or the toilet, you need to control the smaller leaks. Why? Because a small drip hitting the plasterboard for long enough will cause wear and damage, and may even weaken the area enough to cause secondary damage. Also, if there is a leak from a ceiling, you will need to control these leaks as best as you can by protecting plug sockets, turning them off, and moving wires away when you can. Be sure to note where these leaks are so when the plumber arrives you can tell them where the leaks are located in as much detail as possible.
Open Up Your Drains and Spigots (if you can)
Once you have turned off the heater and the water, you need to note that there will still be water trapped in the pipes.
Just to be safe, you need to try and drain the water away from your home by opening the spigots or drain near the building. This is more essential if the leak has been caused by damage to a pipe.
Think Logically
OK, so water is coming through your ceiling, and you are panicking. This is normal! But, while you may have switched everything off and are waiting for the plumber, you may need to temporarily leave your home, especially if the leak is extensive and if you have pets. So, stay calm and think about whether relocating temporarily may be needed for your safety.