Emergency Plumbing Tips for Handling Holiday Weekend Mishaps

Long weekends are great for backyard BBQ parties and relaxing with friends and family. If an emergency plumbing issue arises while you’re entertaining, there are a few things you can do to avoid having to call a plumber right away.

Locate Your Shut-Off Valves

When a plumbing emergency strikes, the first step is to stop the water flow to prevent further damage. Ensure you know where your home’s main shut-off valve is located and the shut-off valves for each plumbing fixture.

Unclog Toilets

Most of the time, you can get your toilet back in service without calling a plumber. Make sure you have a plunger as your first line of defense against a clog. You can try a toilet auger if plunging doesn’t clear the clog.

Clogs that still won’t clear might mean main line blockage or another issue. In that case, avoid using the toilet until a professional plumber can assess your bathroom plumbing.

Garbage Disposal Malfunction

A problem with your garbage disposal can bring your weekend fun to a grinding halt. To try to get things moving again, locate and press the reset button on the unit.

If the reset doesn’t work, try manually clearing the disposal if it is jammed:

• Turn off the power to the unit
• Use a pair of tongs to remove large pieces of debris from inside the disposal
• Restore power to your disposal
• Hit the reset button
• Turn on your kitchen sink faucet
• Try to run the disposal

If the issue persists, most disposals come with a small Allen wrench or tool to manually turn the blades. The blockage may have cleared if you can make a full rotation with the wrench. If the garbage disposal is still stuck, avoid using your kitchen plumbing until you can get a plumber to repair it.

Minimize Any Damage

When there’s a plumbing emergency such as a leak, one of the most important things to do after shutting off the source of the water is to minimize any damage.

That means removing excess water with towels or mops, using buckets to catch dripping water, and relocating any personal items so that when a plumber does arrive, there’s easy access to the affected areas.

Document the Damage

Water can seriously damage your home, so a large leak could qualify for an insurance claim.

Know your homeowner’s insurance policy and document any damage with pictures if you submit a claim.

Call Service Today to Fix Your Plumbing Problem

There’s never a convenient time for a plumbing problem, but when your plumbing issue happens on a holiday weekend, your prompt attention might mean you can hold off calling in a professional until after the holiday weekend.

Whenever your plumbing emergency arises, our team of professionals is ready to make it right… right now! Contact Service Today to book 24/7 plumbing repairs!