What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency Before the Pros Arrive
You’re flying for the first time with young children. You’re walking to your gate when it happens. Somewhere in the terminal, your toddler had dropped their sippy cup, and now it’s lost for good.
Luckily, you’ve got a backup sippy (and a second and third). Having kids who could make a profession out of losing things has made you an expert in anticipating and avoiding family emergencies.
The same should go for home emergencies. When something major goes wrong, having a plan helps you avoid the worst of the damage and stress of figuring out what to do.
If you have a plumbing emergency, what should you do while you’re waiting for the pros to arrive?
What to Do in the Event of a Gas Leak
Internal gas leaks are rare, but when they happen, every second counts. Knowing what to do if the unexpected happens is how to keep you and your family safe.
If you smell rotten eggs or sulfur or hear a hissing sound, stop what you’re doing and follow these steps immediately.
- Open windows and doors to ventilate your home, but only if it’s safe. If you have a headache, dizziness, nausea, or difficulty breathing, skip to step two. Additionally, if you have kids and pets, get them outside right away.
- Leave your home. Don’t flip any electrical switches or use any devices. Don’t turn on your car. Don’t use your cell phone until you are outside and moved to safety.
- Call your gas provider or emergency services to get the gas turned off and lock the meter until the leak can be found. Call Barker to find and fix the issue.
- Only re-enter after a professional has cleared your home and assured you that it’s safe to go back inside.
What to Do in the Event of a Water Leak
A leak in your plumbing can quickly cause a lot of damage to your home. The tricky thing with leaks is that there are so many causes, and when your pipes are behind your walls, it’s hard to see any of them.
Your pipes might be old or corroded, and something like high water pressure is just the thing it needs for gallons of water to escape. Old water lines can also be responsible for pouring water onto your floor instead of getting it to your toilet or washing machine.
Water moves fast—so should you! If you have a water leak:
- Turn off the water using your main shut-off valve.
- Call Barker and Sons to get an emergency plumber dispatched to your home right away.
- Depending on where the leak is:
- Grab a bucket to catch water.
- Throw towels down.
- Move valuables away from the leak while you try to contain the water.
Prevent Plumbing and Gas Emergencies
Regular inspections help you stay in the know about any hidden plumbing quirks in your home while keeping pipes, water lines, and appliances up-to-date. However, they cannot completely eliminate the chance of something going wrong.
That’s where automatic shut-offs for your water and gas lines come in. Think of an automatic shut-off as your home’s safety net. Whether it’s a surprise leak or an earthquake (this is California, after all!), it takes action before you even notice something’s wrong.
Both devices are installed on your main water or gas line and send updates right to your phone. You’ll be the first to know about your usage habits, leaks, and more!
Barker and Sons Is Your Partner in Plumbing Safety
Modern plumbing and natural gas make life better, and emergencies aren’t something that happens every day. But, just like you buy sippy cups in bulk, it’s always better to be proactive and have a plan in place.
Emergencies don’t wait, and neither should you. Whether you need us now or want to prevent the next big disaster, Barker and Sons has your back. Give us a call today—because a mother knows these things!
