An emergency with your plumbing in Fort Worth requires fast action to prevent damage to your home or business. The following emergency plumbing tips explain what to do during a plumbing emergency, before calling a Benjamin Franklin plumber in Fort Worth.
- Water Leaks – When a water leak occurs, shut off the water to stop the flow. When a fixture such as a toilet or sink is involved, turn off the cut off valve beneath the fixture. Otherwise, shut off the water off at the main valve, or the water meter.
- Overflowing toilet – If the toilet has a cutoff valve shut it off. Otherwise, shut the water off at the main valve or the water meter. If you have someone to help you, one person can lift the float valve inside the tank, stopping the flow of water into the tank and bowl, while the other person shuts off the water. Contact a Benjamin Franklin plumber in Fort Worth for toilet repair.
- Turning Off an Appliance – Shutting off the water to a leaking appliance will depend on its location, and ease of access to a cutoff valve. If the cutoff valve is not handy, it may be faster to shut off the water at the main valve or the water meter. When a washer overflows shut it off. This should stop the water. If the leak is one of the appliance’s water supply hoses, close the valve attached to the hose.
When cut off valves malfunction, you will have to shut the water off at the main valve or the water meter. It may not be possible to access a shut off valve to a dishwasher. In addition, moving a heavy refrigerator to access the shut off valve behind the appliance, may take more time than using the main valve or water meter shutoff.
A flooded basement or other room with standing water can pose a risk of electrical shock. Water conducts electricity, and if water contacts a bare electrical wire, in a wall, for example, dangerous or even fatal shock may occur. Do not enter a flooded room. If you can reach the home’s main electrical panel without entering any water or even a wet area, cut off the electrical main switch. Otherwise, leave the task and leak repair to a licensed professional plumber in Fort Worth. Some homes have two electrical supplies, one inside the home, and one outside of the home typically beneath the power meter. The outside box is not a duplicate of the inside supply. It typically provides electricity for select electrical supplies. For example, it may supply power to the new shop. If you’re in doubt, wait until a professional plumber in Fort Worth arrives to provide plumbing repair.
- Gas Leaks – Gas leaks are a serious emergency with the potential to be life threatening. Never attempt to shut off or repair a gas leak yourself. The single goal is to evacuate your home immediately, call 911 from a safe distance away from the home and the odor of gas, and call the gas provider. When the gas is off and no longer a danger, contact a licensed, qualified plumber in Fort Worth to provide gas leak repair.
- Hot Water Heater Leak – If you have a leaking water heater, turn off the main water supply, followed by turning off the electricity to the appliance, or the gas supply, depending on the type water heater. Contact your plumber in Fort Worth for water heater repair.
- Yard Line Leaks and Interior Piping – Shut off the water at the water meter and call your plumber for the repair of your plumbing in Fort Worth.
- Water Meter Leaks – Water leaks on the street side is the responsibility of your water utility provider. Water leaks on the property side of the water meter are your responsibility. Shut the water off at the meter and contact your plumber in Fort Worth for repair of leaks on your side involving your home’s plumbing, and the water utility department for leaks on the street side.
We hope you found these emergency plumbing tips helpful. A Benjamin Franklin plumber in Fort Worth can take care of your plumbing repairs, installation and maintenance with expertise. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.