A plumbing emergency can occur at any time, whether you had noticed some warning signs or not. What should you do when you face a plumbing disaster? Depending on the plumbing problem at hand and the affected part of the plumbing, there are various steps you need to take to rectify plumbing disasters. This article will outline some of the initial actions you must take during a plumbing emergency, and how your emergency plumber can assist.

Have a 24/7 emergency plumber on call

When a plumbing emergency occurs, one of the first things you should do is assess the damage in the affected areas, and then contact your emergency plumber. Since plumbing emergencies arise at any time, it's important to have contact details of a plumber who is available 24/7 for call-outs. This means you have an experienced expert you can rely on whenever a serious plumbing disaster strikes at your residence or workplace even during the off-duty hours.

Even describing your situation to the plumber can help you to understand what went wrong and give you the chance to ask the plumber the initial measures you should take to manage the situation before he or she arrives. This initial description also helps determine if you are responsible for the repair, or if the responsibility lies with the utility company. Ensure you place all the contact details of your emergency plumber on the fridge, or any other visible location you can access easily, in case a disaster occurs.

Shut off the main water supply

Another vital step that's recommended in case of a plumbing emergency is to switch off your main water supply. It's helpful to ask a qualified plumber for assistance, so the next time the plumber comes for regular checkup or repair, you should let them show you how it's done. The plumber can also offer instructions on how to switch off the water supply over the phone when an emergency occurs. By shutting off the main house water supply, you will prevent the intensification of the plumbing emergency, allowing you to gain control of the situation at hand.

Drain the excess water

Now that you have shut off the main water supply, the next step will be to open the drains in your home to let the excess water drain away. In case there are blockages in your drains, do not use chemicals to dislodge the blockage, since this can lead to additional problems your plumber will have to deal with later.