What Should You Do in a Plumbing or Gas Emergency?
There’s so much to appreciate about living in Huntington Beach. You and your family especially love wrangling the family dog into the car for afternoons spent at Huntington Dog Beach. With hot summers spent at the beach and mild winters, it really is the perfect environment for your and your family’s lifestyle.
However, plumbing and gas emergencies can happen no matter where you are. Huntington Beach is also susceptible to earthquakes. While most are small, there is always the chance of having an earthquake large enough to damage your home’s essential systems. So, how do you spot the signs of impending danger? What are the proper upgrades to avoid an emergency, and steps to take if an emergency does happen?
Spot the Signs of a Gas or Plumbing Emergency
Your home’s plumbing system works hard every day to supply you with water to drink, cook with, and clean with. This constant use puts a lot of wear and tear on your pipes, making leaks relatively common. If leaks go unrepaired for too long, they can lead to thousands of gallons of wasted water and costly repairs.
Stay vigilant for these leaky red flags:
- Mildew
- A Drop in Water Pressure
- Unusually High Water Bills
- Increased Humidity in Your Home
- Hissing or Dripping Noises
- Water Stains on Your Ceiling, Floors, or Walls
- Wet or Damp Floors
- Rusty Pipes
- Large and Unexplained Puddles in Your Yard
Gas leaks need immediate attention. They are one of the most dangerous events you can experience in your home. If you suspect a gas leak, do NOT attempt to locate the leak, turn on or off any electrical appliances, or start any vehicles.
Commit these gas leak warning signs to your memory:
- The smell of rotten eggs
- Whistling or Hissing Noises From Your Pipes (especially if it’s near a gas line or appliance)
- Water or Mud Bubbling Outside of Your Home
- Fire That Appears to Hover Just Above the Ground
- Soil That Looks Blackish-Green in Color
- Dead or Dying Patches of Grass on Your Lawn
- A Large Number of Flies Around Your Home
Recognizing the signs of an emergency early on can help prevent larger damages and keep you and your family safe. We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services to fix any problems, no matter what time of day or night.
It’s easy to panic during an emergency. Fortunately, there are practices and preventative upgrades you can make to leave you feeling more prepared to handle an emergency.
How to Prepare for an Emergency
Do you know where and how to use the shut-off valves in your home? Many homeowners do not, and this knowledge can make a huge difference in how disastrous a leak or tear can get. During every annual inspection, we will walk you through the process of shutting off your valves so that you are more prepared in an emergency.
Installing automatic shut-off valves is one of the best ways to minimize damages during an emergency, give you peace of mind, and take away the stress of having to find your valve and shut it off during a stressful circumstance. They also make sure that your water and gas supply are halted in the event of an earthquake when you are unable to safely reach your valves.
An automatic gas shut-off valve can be installed on both propane and natural gas systems. It reacts to seismic activity and automatically shuts off the gas in the event of a 5.4 magnitude earthquake, leak, or line break, greatly reducing the risk of fire and explosions. After the damage has been repaired it is easily reset so it can continue to protect your family. This one-time cost investment lowers the risk of damage, and some insurance companies offer discounts.
Similar to the gas shut-off valve, an automatic water shut-off valve is attached to your main water line. This valve automatically shuts down your water supply if it detects a leak, even as small as a dime. You can also control the valve and check on the status of your system through an app on your phone! Safety has never been so easy.
Barker and Sons Are Here to Help
Don’t wait until an emergency leaves you wading through thousands of gallons of water and extensive damage to your home.
Automatic shut-off valves are one of the best ways to fortify your home’s systems against catastrophe while also taking away the stress of having to think rationally in a chaotic situation. You want to be there for your family in those moments, and now you can be.
If you are looking to get one or both of these devices installed or have more questions about how they work, please reach out to us. We always have knowledgeable technicians available to assist you in making the best choices for your home.
