Bathroom Tips - High Priority Plumbing

There are several types of plumbing emergencies that can occur—we want to help you be prepared for them. Here are some tips from our Metro Atlanta plumbers to help you successfully tackle your next plumbing emergency:

  • Be prepared – When it comes to a plumbing emergency, it is always better to be prepared. The most important thing you can do is know your plumbing system. This means knowing where all emergency shut-off valves are, and how to shut them off. Important valves to know are your main water shut-off valve and your isolation valves located at each fixture. It is also important to know how to turn off your water heater. Be sure to test these emergency valves annually to ensure that they are in working condition. There are several tools that are good to keep around the house in case of a plumbing emergency. Wrenches can be used to turn off valves and work on faucets. Be sure to have a pipe wrench, crescent wrench, basin wrench, and socket wrench around the house in case of an emergency. It is also important to have a flange plunger, cup plunger, drain-cleaning tool, auger, slip joint pliers, hairdryer, and duct tape around the house as well.
  • Quick Repairs for a Plumbing Emergency  – While there are several DIY tips to help prevent further damage from a plumbing emergency, it is always smart to contact a professional to ensure that the repair has been done correctly. Here are a few tips you can do at home to help deal with a clogged or overflowing toilet, clogged sink, leaking faucet, or leaking pipes. One of the most common plumbing problems you will run into is a clogged or overflowing toilet. If your toilet is overflowing or clogged, turn off the isolation valve located behind the toilet close to the floor. Once the water supply has been shut off you can begin working to unclog the toilet. To unclog your toilet you will need a flange plunger. Plunge repeatedly approximately 10-20 times to ensure pressure build-up in the pipe. If this does not unclog the toilet, it is best to call a professional to further evaluate the situation. Similar to unclogging a toilet, the best way to unclog a sink or another small drain is to use a small cup plunger. Center the plunger over the clogged drain and pump it several times to loosen the clog. To repair a leaking faucet, it is important to determine whether the leak is coming from the hot or cold faucet. Once this is determined shut off the isolation valve located below your sink in the cabinet, or behind the wall for a bathtub. You can then replace the faucet. Lastly, repairing a leaking pipe starts with figuring out how and where the pipe was damaged. To prevent further damage use duct tape or a pipe sealant as a quick-fix for a leaking pipe, and then call a professional to further assess the issue.

There are many ways you can help prevent and be prepared for a plumbing emergency. If you do not know how to repair the issue, it is always best to call a professional to prevent further or more costly damage. Our 24-hour emergency plumbers in Atlanta have the knowledge and expertise to tackle your toughest plumbing emergencies. Give us a call at 770-860-8110 to learn more about our services or to request a service call.

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