A plumbing emergency is unfortunate, and even more so for real estate managers and administrators of communities. It can be difficult trying to sell or rent out a home with issues in plumbing, so preventing a possible plumbing emergency should be one of a portfolio manager’s priorities. Sometimes, however, flooding can occur at any time, which is why managers must be ready to respond to this while waiting for professionals to provide other permanent solutions.
In this article, we will discuss three safety measures that building or community managers can provide in getting a plumbing emergency under control:
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Locate the source of the plumbing emergency
Identify if the water is coming from a kitchen sink, a bathroom, or somewhere else in the house because each place would have a different reason for overflowing. Sinks and toilets, for example, get backed up because of issues with the main sewage line. If the floodwater is murky, there is a problem with the way your home is connected to the city’s plumbing system.
If the water keeps flowing in, you should turn the water off from the main valve. This is typically located beside your water meter. When you turn the main valve off, you stop water from entering your home, preventing further water damage.
If your floodwater is coming from the toilet and it is still flooding despite the main valve being closed, know that you can shut off the toilet water supply. This is usually beside the toilet tank or the pipes supplying water for flushing. If this stops the flow of water, you can then re-open the main valve. After isolating the source of the problem, contact a plumber as soon as possible.
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Remove excess water if possible
Water that had overflowed from ‘clean’ sources, such as underground water reservoirs or toilet tanks, is safe enough for you to mop up. Remove excess water by using absorbent materials, and always wear gloves, rubber boots, and other protective equipment when cleaning.
For larger floods, it can take you a few minutes to an hour trying to dry the flooded spaces, so you should have fans or humidifiers ready to help expedite the process. After drying the affected area, you should also disinfect it because some floodwater has contaminants and can put people at risk for infections. Using sprays or washes should be enough for this task.
Some floods, especially ones that have sewer water or waste materials, can cause you serious illnesses. If the floodwater is brown or black, you should leave the cleaning to flood restoration professionals, and instead concentrate on retrieving smaller objects and keeping them away from the flood.
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Plan preventive maintenance
After a flood, you should conduct an inspection and see what services can help you prevent flooding in the future. Frozen pipes, clogged sump pumps or drains, or malfunctioning water heaters are all potential sources of flooding. It will help to fix these before they lead to more severe issues in the future. Frozen pipes, especially, are even more of a problem during colder weather. When left untreated, frozen plumbing systems can burst due to the uneven pressure brought by drastically different temperatures inside and outside the pipes.
Conclusion: Plumbing Emergency Services
Caring for a rental home or a home for sale always means keeping it at its best. You never know when someone would want to move in or buy a home, which is why you should be ready for tours at all times. Deal with a plumbing emergency by hiring 24/hr plumbers, and noting non-urgent but important structural developments in the property.
We are a 24-hour plumbing emergency services in Santa Clara, and we offer pipe leak repairs, water heater replacement, and vent cleaning, among others. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
