A plumbing emergency is not one of those things in life that you can foresee. One is usually taken by surprise when you walk into a bathroom that is flooded with water from a burst pipe or a flooded basement because of a malfunctioning sump pump. Malfunctioning water heaters, and leaking faucets can also cause significant damage if not dealt with quickly. Other emergencies include a toilet that is suddenly blocked, dry taps because of broken main supply pipes, or the pipes running across your ceiling suddenly sprinkling water into the house. This can happen anytime without warning, and all you need to do is call an emergency Staten Island Plumber.
When you call a plumber, they will often give you a temporary fix to control the situation until they come. Their arrival will take a short time depending on your location. In some cases, especially those that require replacement of parts, a temporary fix is usually given to wait until morning and get fixed permanently.
Differences Between Emergency and Routine Plumbing Services
Routine services are offered during the day where a plumber visits the home or business premises, and they have time to thoroughly inspect your system. These services can include maintenance and upgrading activities and can often be done anytime when the homeowner is ready, and the plumber is available. Emergency services do not wait for a specific time of the day. They happen unexpectedly and often have more serious and costly consequences. Others even pose significant health risks if not addressed immediately. This means that you have to be armed with a plumber’s number to ensure you get the required services fast.
Since emergency services are offered even after business hours, a plumber might have to charge a few dollars higher than the normal rate. The goal of these services is to offer a solution as fast as possible to prevent damage to property and ensure that you can use your system again. Granted, the plumber will not have time to inspect the whole system, but will effectively fix the visible problem or at least provide a temporary fix.
What To Do Before Emergency Help Arrives
When a plumbing emergency occurs, you need to reduce damage to your property as much as you can even before the plumber arrives. A plumber can take up to thirty minutes, depending on where you stay, but most will be at your location within 15 minutes. When you call a plumber, explain the problem and then ask what you can do before they arrive.
Usually, you might be advised to turn off the main water or the supply from your tank. If the problem involves a flooded area, you’ll also be advised to switch off the electricity supply to the area or avoid going into it until the professionals get there. If possible, you might also begin emptying out the excess water if the supply has been effectively cut off by a temporary measure.This makes it easier for the problem to be spotted and rectified.
Learn to Avoid Emergencies
You can avoid many emergencies by having a plumber routinely inspect your system to ensure it is running smoothly. This can be done after a few months or at least twice every year. This way, you save money, and you stay free of emergencies.