Translating…
Plumbing emergencies, by their very nature, are something that you’re often unable to predict; most of them occur suddenly and without warning. That’s not to say you can’t be prepared however, and this article takes a look at some top plumbing tips to help you out. Knowing what to do in advance can help minimise damage.
Find your Stopcock
It’s one of the first things you should do when you move into a new property: find the stopcock. Being able to quickly turn off the water in your home can help avoid many complications. The stopcock is usually located either near your water meter or in the street just outside your house, where the water pipes enter your property. Most plumbing emergencies will require shutting off the water supply and it really is vital to know how.
Avoiding Overflow
Clogged pipes can often lead to overflow, something that can be quickly alleviated by turning on the cold water elsewhere. If you have a tap stuck on or a toilet being slow to drain, turning on another tap can reduce water pressure and slow the flow in the problem area. This is a quick way to give you enough time to get to your houses stopcock and turn off the water completely, enabling you to get local handyman services before the overflow causes serious damage.
Thawing pipes
Frozen pipes are a nightmare that many homeowners can do without and they are, to an extent, avoidable. If you’re going to be away from your property for a number of days in the winter, make sure you keep the heating on just enough to smooth out any dips in temperature. If the worst happens and the pipes do freeze, slowly thawing them with a space heater can help avoid damage and give you time to spot bursts. When thawing pipes, you’ll also need to make sure taps are open so the water can escape the system.
More than just the plumbing
Oddly enough, electricity plays a big part in many plumbing systems and it’s definitely something to bear in mind. If you’re emptying a hot water system, you need to make sure the heating elements in your hot water tank are turned off. Similarly, if your washing machine suffers a leak it’s time to trip your breaker. Isolating your electricity when ever there’s a plumbing emergency will help keep you safe until you can get the plumber round.