When you’re facing a serious plumbing issue, such as a dreaded leak, you likely have a lot of questions: What will this cost to fix? Where is the leak coming from? How can I minimize damage caused by the leaking water? At Roto-Rooter, we know how frustrating it can be to deal with a leak, and time is of the essence in a situation where water is damaging your home. We are here to help – if you are curious about what you can do to help reduce the amount of water damage a leaky pipe is responsible for, we’ve got you covered.
Locate the Source of the Leak
The first step may seem like an obvious one, but it is essential to solving the issue at hand. When you begin to notice a leak, the first thing you should do is locate the source of the leak. While we recommend against quick, DIY fixes like using tape, it is useful to know exactly where the issue is occurring. Finding the source helps you to both better explain the situation to your plumber and to know where to direct any efforts of drying the area or place a bucket underneath any active dripping.
Shut Off the Water Source
The more you continue to use the appliance that is experiencing the leak, the worse it will become. It is important to remember to shut off your water or to discontinue the use of the affected appliance, whether it be a sink, toilet or another source.
Unplug Electric Appliances
One thing to remember when you’re dealing with a leak is to make sure there are no electronics being used anywhere near the water source. Make sure to unplug flat irons, hairdryers, light fixtures or whatever else is near the leak to ensure safety and prevent any risk of electrocution. While the area or outlet nearby may seem safe to use, it is never worth the risk. Wait to use any electric appliances until long after the area is secured, repaired and completely dry.
Remove the Moisture
While keeping the area completely dry is impossible with an active water leak, you can take steps to keep everything as dry as possible. Use towels, fans, dehumidifier or anything else you may have on hand to remove any sitting water or condensation that could damage furniture, flooring or cabinets. The quicker you manage to keep things dry, and the more you continue to do so while waiting for a permanent fix, the less likely your leak will cause serious damage.
Call Your Plumber
Another obvious but essential thing to keep in mind is that you need professional help. Fixing a leak yourself can result in more effort than it is worth, and oftentimes those DIY fixes will not hold up. Save yourself time and headache by calling your friends at Roto-Rooter today! We will have your leak handled and repaired in no time. The quicker you call the better, as all your previous efforts to keep things dry will only work for a limited amount of time
If you’re facing a leak in your home, Roto-Rooter is here to help! Give us a call today at (251) 219-0633.