As many homeowners know, a serious plumbing situation may occur at any point in your day. Knowing this, Fort Worth, Texas, homeowners should understand how to detect potential issues to help determine if they are faced with a pressing issue in the upcoming future. Consider the following tips to establish a procedure when you are facing your next plumbing crisis.
Materials Needed
There is no way to know what type of emergency plumbing situation you may be subjected to in the future, so be prepared by having the following products available in case of a problem:
- Utilize a bucket for leaks to help catch excess water and keep your home dry.
- Always keep good quality paper towels on hand in case you do not have efficient rags to soak up excess water that the bucket cannot catch.
- Be sure to have an adjustable wrench on hand, along with slip joint pliers. Tip: the more sizes of wrenches that you have, the better.
- A screwdriver is also a vital plumbing tool due to its flexibility.
- Always have a plunger, as well as forced cup plunger, available. Both have their uses for unclogging severe back-ups.
- Keep duct tape or sealing tape nearby, as these items can be a significant asset to any plumbing emergency until a professional consult can examine the damage.
- Wire coat hangers are a household item that every amateur plumber should keep handy.
Emergency Help
It is not always enough to have the best tools on hand. In most instances, you must understand a bit about how to manage your circumstances as well. Consider these tips to help prepare you if an emergency plumbing issue should arise:
- When a pipe bursts, immediately turn off your water supply. Call a professional, but while you are waiting, drain your system by switching on all cold-water faucets in the house and completely flushing the toilets.
- When trying to unblock a sink or garbage disposal, always turn off the switch before trying to fix or clean it. Never put your hands inside a disposal, instead use tongs to take out any excess debris and then proceed to use two plungers to unclog it. A second plunger will help cover the other drain and help you get the force necessary.