You should know where the water shutoff valves are. Typically, they are under each sink. You’ll likely see an oblong knob on a pipe, which will be the water control valve for each sink fixture. You should also know how to turn off the water main. That is typically a similar valve somewhere in your basement or outside of your house. If you know where these are, you can limit the damage of many kinds of emergencies. Also, you need the phone number of an emergency plumber in Chelmsford.
Burst Pipe
There are several reasons a pipe can burst. If the pipe breaks at a junction, it could mean that your pipes are old and the threads have worn down. If a pipe bursts after a hard freeze, it means that the water inside the pipe has frozen. Water expands when it freezes, and can eventually burst a pipe if it has no outlet. If your pipes are still frozen when they burst, you can shut off the water and call a plumber. They’ll have to replace the pipes, but there typically won’t be any water damage.
Water Damage
Water damage is often a bigger problem than the initial plumbing problem itself. For example, if you have clogged drains, they can be quite annoying. However, if those clogged drains begin to overflow, they will leak water all over your house as well as getting in the walls. Such damage will cause mould and mildew to grow, and can also degrade the wood and damage any kind of upholstery. An annoying problem can turn into hundreds or thousands of pounds of damage. Having an emergency plumber on call is a great way to mitigate the water damage. Also, knowing where to shut off the water is helpful.
Watch for Signs
You need to also watch for signs of damage to your pipes. If you have multiple drain blockages, you could have a problem with your sewer main. If that issue is not addressed, it could lead to sewage backing up into your house. Plumbers might need to come in and trench your yard, which can be very disruptive and very expensive. If you catch it early though, it might be possible for professionals to snake the problem. These are just a few reasons to be prepared.
