Plumbers in Longview TX | What To Do Before Calling A Plumber For Emergency Service
Whether your bathroom is flooded with several inches of water or there’s a faucet that just won’t stop dripping, you’ve got a residential plumbing issue to address. Unfortunately, these problems can occur at any time of day or night. No matter what time your plumbing decides to act up, however, you can call a 24-hour plumber in Longview.
But how do you know if the plumbing issue necessitates emergency service? Is it something you can fix yourself with tools you already have at home?
Some plumbing problems undoubtedly require the care and attention of a trained plumber. However, you can differentiate between these and smaller problems you can fix yourself by following our guide below.
Get the Area Cleared Out
If you do end up having to call the plumber, the last thing you want is to have them waste precious time clearing the area out. Removing items in the area is something you can easily do yourself and make it easier for your plumber to access the area in need of a fix quickly and easily.
If the issue involves your sink, remove everything from underneath. Problems that involve storage spaces won’t necessarily need to be emptied, but a clear pathway would be ideal. After you’ve cleared the area, you’ll have greater visibility and may even be able to see the root of the problem and determine if it’s something that you can temporarily patch until you can have a plumber come take a look.
Figure Out What the Problem Is
Before the problem can be addressed, it’s key to understand the issue at hand. Is it a frozen pipe that’s burst? Is there something in the faucet that’s causing a drip? There are several possibilities. Should the issue happen in the dead of night, it’s key to figure out whether you have a full emergency on your hands. If there’s a need to try and fix it immediately, document the process with photos and even videos if possible. Any parts that you remove should be kept together, too.
There are certain things that you can try fixing by yourself, such as:
- Clogged drains – A drain can be unclogged in a sink or toilet. The clog can be pushed down to the main sewer line with a plunger. If there’s a blocked item, like a hairball or toy, you can try to get it out with a snake.
- Leaking sink – Trying to fix a leaking sink means finding the parts that have the slightest hint of being worn out. These parts should then be replaced, making sure all screws are tightened in the process.
- Running toilet – The issue here typically lies with the flapper valve and flapper. Both of these components can be replaced relatively easily.
Turn the Water Off
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning anyway. It becomes particularly crucial in cases when the water is running. Whether you turn off the water supply or the main water shutoff valve depends on certain factors, but either one will help you keep water from running. In this way, any further damage to your home and your things will be avoided.
Conclusion
Plumbing issues can occur at any time of the day or night, and while they’re typically not emergencies, calling a plumber is usually best. Several steps can be taken before making the call, however. This includes getting the area cleared out, figuring out what the problem is, and turning the water off. Once you have a better understanding of what’s going on, you’ll be able to decide whether you can fix it yourself or call a plumber, whether immediately or the next day during business hours.
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