How to Respond to a Plumbing Leak

drain-leakIf you have a plumbing leak, then you need to get it fixed! That much is obvious, but what are you supposed to do in the meantime? Are there certain things to take into consideration before handling a leak? We’ll hopefully be able to answer some of the questions for you below.

Do You Have a Leak?

First, you must know if you actually have a leak. This might sound like a silly thing to say if you have a giant puddle of water forming under your sink, but most leaks are more subtle than that. Most of your plumbing system is hidden behind the walls, after all—you might not see any signs of a leak for a long time.

If your leak isn’t obvious, one sign is lower water pressure through your fixtures. Whether you’re experiencing lower water pressure through multiple fixtures or just one single fixture will go a long way in helping a plumber find the source of the leak.

Another sign is the water bill spike. A leak that goes unnoticed for that long will most likely show up as an increase on your water bill.

If you suspect a leak, you can try turning off all the water-using appliances in your home. Then, go check the water meter. If the meter still shows activity, it’s a good sign that you have a leak.

Take Action (If It’s Safe)!

First, turn off the main water supply valve. Whether your basement is flooding or you’ve only just now discovered a small leak, you have to stop more water from coming in. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the water supply valve is in case of any future emergencies.

You’ll also want to consider if the leak has the potential to affect your gas or electricity. If the leak is anywhere near these utilities, turn those off as well.

Finally, pick up the phone and call a professional plumber in Santa Fe, NM. Depending on the severity of your leak, you can request emergency services or call outside of normal business hours.

While You Wait for the Plumber…

If your leak has created some serious puddles, you can clean them up while you wait for the plumber—if it’s safe to do so.

If the water is touching electrical devices or wires, stay away from the water to prevent any risk of electrocution. You can use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up the water if you can plug the vacuum in away from the water. If the only available outlet for the vacuum is near water, you’re better off waiting for the professionals to arrive.

After deeming the situation safe, move any furniture or objects that could be affected by water damage. This includes fabric, leather, and wood.

Is your home flooding from a burst pipe? Is there an annoying drip coming from your faucet? No matter what kind of leak you’re experiencing, we can help. Contact Santa Fe Express Plumbing & Drain today to schedule a service!

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