There aren't many things more frustrating than an air conditioning that refuses to run. A hot, muggy home can make your space incredibly uncomfortable, which is why I have always focused on maintaining my air conditioning system. Unfortunately, I still run into problems from time to time and I am sure that all of you do, which is one of the reasons I decided to build this website. Check out these posts for more information about keeping your system working beautifully, even if you aren't naturally good at fixing things. You never know, making the right changes could dramatically improve your summertime experience.
Herbert Franklin
Plumbing emergencies can cause a disastrous amount of damage to your home unless you know how to handle them properly. There are a lot of things you can do before an emergency occurs that will minimize the impact a plumbing emergency has on your home.
The following are four mistakes you can avoid to save your home from the extensive damages a plumbing emergency can cause:
Neglecting to fix a leaky faucet when you notice it
A leaky faucet is a sign of problematic plumbing issues developing in your system. You'll be surprised at how quickly your water bill can add up if your faucet is leaking. Yet the problem is more severe than that.
A leaky faucet could indicate leaks elsewhere in your plumbing system that could cause water damage. You can fix a leaky faucet yourself by replacing some parts like the faucet o-rings. However, you should probably have an inspection performed by a plumber if leaky faucets are common in your home.
Not being aware of the location of the shut-off valve for the main water supply
Educating yourself about how your plumbing system works is very important in minimizing the impact of plumbing emergencies. Probably the most important thing you need to know is how you can shut off the main water supply to your home.
Shutting off the main water supply will immediately stop any plumbing fixtures from emitting any more water. This can be very important in preventing water damage.
Not knowing how to shut off the water to individual fixtures
To be as prepared as possible for plumbing emergencies, you should know how to shut off water to individual fixtures. There should be certain shut off valves on individual fixtures including toilets, tubs, and sinks.
Being able to shut off water to individual fixtures can allow you to continue everyday life in your household relatively normally until a plumber arrives to inspect and repair the problem fixture.
Allowing an overflowing, clogged toilet to get out of control before attempting to unclog it
The sooner you stop water from flowing into a clogged toilet, the better off you'll be. Don't expect the overflow to stop unless you do something.
If your toilet is regularly clogging when you flush it, you need to have it looked at. The shut off valve to your toilet is usually placed just behind the toilet at the base of the fixture. However, it's best to prevent the need to shut off the water before a severe clog starts causing problems.
If you've noticed that your toilet is tending to develop clogs lately, keep a close eye on it. If you flush it and leave the room without making sure that everything's going down ok, you could come back to find a few inches of standing water on your bathroom floor. Also, make sure to have the number for an emergency plumbing service on hand.