There isn’t really a ‘right schedule’ for plumbing problems but better to address minor issues instead of a huge disaster. Accidents such as pipe bursts, leakage and blocked sewage places you and everyone else in the house as well as your property in danger. Harm to your pipes will at some point call for reparations, which more often than not may be costly, time-consuming and might even be irritating to undertake.

In such cases, knowledge of how to act in response or measures that may be taken to reduce as much destruction as possible can be a very good line of defense. Naturally, some plumbing issues are hardly detectable until it is too late. Preparation beforehand ensures that you will act quicker when need be.

The following guide provides some basic tips and tricks for tackling plumbing maintenance during an emergency.

How to Find the Shut-Off Valve

The main shut off valve of water is very useful when there is a plumbing problem because it controls the water supply of the entire house. You should also ensure that you are conversant with the location of the master shut-off of water and the ways to operate it in situation of an emergency.

If you don’t already know where to find the main water shut-off valve, try looking in one of these three places:

Inside Your Home

Often, the water shut-off valve is stored inside your home for easier access. Typically, you should expect to find it along the perimeter of the house where water initially flows from.

Focus on looking at the street-facing side because water mains begin outside before heading in a straight line toward the building. Once located, you can turn the handle or valve into the off position, interrupting water flow for the whole house.

Property Inspection Documents

If you cannot locate the shut off valve which is most often found along the perimeter of your home then you might have to use another approach. Referring to the coverage of a property inspection which should have been conducted while sign for a home purchase, you should be able to get idea of where to start from.

In the report, there should be a section dedicated to plumbing. Here, you will find the shut-off valve and a picture of what it looks like. No matter what status the water system was at during the original inspection, the location of the main water shut-off will still be noted in the final report.

Near the Street

If the previous two solutions fail, there is one final step you can take to find a water-shut-off valve. The beginning of your water main (located by the street) could have its own separate shut-off valve. This can be located usually at the boundary of your property line, near either the street or along the sidewalk edge.

Generally, a curb valve is meant for staff from the water company to use when completing work or other related activities. That said, in an emergency, you can call the number listed and they may instruct you to manually shut off the water yourself or wait for an emergency dispatch team. In this case, the response depends on the severity of the situation.

Essential Tools for a Plumbing Emergency

Stopping water flow is the first thing you must do when a plumbing emergency occurs. You cannot start to resolve the situation until the water has been properly turned off. As soon as you locate the main valve and turn the switch off, the issue can then be addressed.

In order to complete some DIY plumbing maintenance, there are a few essential tools you’ll want to have available, including the following:

Plunger: A plunger is designed to use suction (and a little brute force) to remove both small and larger obstructions. Keeping one in an easy-to-access location is ideal for several different types of plumbing-related issues.

Adjustable Wrenches: In the case where piping joints need to be tightened or valves loosened, it’s a good idea to have a set of adjustable wrenches on hand.

Oversized Bucket: This is a simple yet effective tool when it comes to water spillage. It’s important to keep a large bucket nearby when completing any plumbing. This helps capture any remaining water without causing further damage to your home.

Teflon Tape: Also known as plumber’s tape, this is a great tool for sealing pipe joints and joints to taps that may need a quick repair until they can be properly dealt with. This specialty tool helps create a lasting seal that acts as a barrier between the flowing water and the leak.

Caulk and Caulk Gun: These are two very useful tools to keep handy. They can be used to reseal a variety of different areas, including the seams in a shower or the edge of a new/pre-existing ceramic sink.

Tools for CPVC, Galvanized, or Copper Pipes: Every building has a different type of piping. This often depends on when it was built, the materials used, and where you’re located. Having the right tools for the specific type of piping inside your home makes it easier to complete standard maintenance when needed.

If you are unclear on how to fix a plumbing issue in your home or want further clarification on the type of piping you have, reach out to a plumber in Toronto.

Unclogging a Drain in an Emergency

Try a Simple Method

In as much as plumbing solutions are concerned, it is not always that the big problems give way to the most basic solutions. In this case, you should not immediately rush for a plumber as there could be a simple remedy to the problem, via, if you have a clog you should look down the drain and try to pull the clog from the top.

Depending on how far down the blockage is, you can also check the built-in stopper and remove any buildup that could be causing problems. The stopper is typically found inside the top pipe underneath your sink.

Use a Plunger

A plunger requires some water to help create the necessary suction. So, if the clog is located where there isn’t any water already (for example, a sink), add at least 2 inches before starting. The overall idea is to break up the clog through added air pressure, allowing it to pass more easily through the pipes.

The basic plunging guidelines involve the following:

• Fill the space with enough water to cover the plunger.

• Cover the drain hole entirely with the plunger bell, making sure there are no openings.

• Plunge lightly the first time to allow excess air in the bell to escape safely.

• Once the air is forced out, plunge repeatedly with consistent force without breaking the seal. If the seal breaks, start again; otherwise, you won’t have enough airflow going back and forth.

• If the water spills out or begins to gradually go down, add more as needed until the clog is removed.

Using a Plumbing Snake

A plumbing snake can be a great option for clogs or blockages that are deep inside the pipes. Extending upwards of 20 feet, these flexible metal tools make it easy—yet time-consuming—to remove those hard-to-reach buildups that happen in drains. Although they are effective, be prepared for the entire process to take between 20 to 30 minutes before you see results.

Some simple snaking guidelines include the following:

• Remove the P-trap underneath the sink.

• Lay the snake out on a flat surface.

• While twisting, push the snake into the clogged drain.

• Once you feel the obstruction, twist the snake clockwise so it continues to latch onto the problem. If you feel resistance, start pulling it out.

• After you begin to feel like you’re making progress, don’t stop.

• Be sure to clean the snake completely after the clog has been successfully removed.

Managing a Leaking Pipe in an Emergency

• Find a container (such as a bucket) to catch the leaking water, minimizing any future damage while you work on finding a solution.

• Locate the main water valve and switch the system to drain down. This means opening all the faucets within your home and having them drain to the main shut-off valve instead of their usual location.

• Once the leak is controlled, immediately clean up any remaining or excess water around the source, as you don’t want to promote mold growth.

• Begin assessing the source of the leak, and implementing the appropriate repair protocols for the particular issue:

  • Use a wrench to tighten loose nuts or braces in the pipes.

  • Replace a broken or worn-out pipe completely.

  • Remove any blockage from inside the pipe.

  • Reseal the edging between the pipe and counter/floor using caulking or epoxy putty.

• Return to steps 2 and 3, turning back to the main water source and cleaning up any remaining mess left over from the repair.

Safety Measures During a Plumbing Emergency

• Have a clear health and safety plan in place should any medical or other emergency occur during your plumbing issue and/or maintenance process.

• Create detailed job orders for each step of the process, allocating different tasks where applicable.

• Consider taking formal health and safety courses from a trusted source to remain up to date on the latest recommendations/requirements.

• Before opening any drains, take time to think about the situation and determine a safe, effective solution to resolve the issue.

• Shut the water off before you do anything else in order to avoid further damage.

• Be aware of any building and/or plumbing regulations surrounding your particular situation.

• Protect yourself at all costs; wear safety goggles, gloves, and masks.

• Follow proper tool safety, and understand the recommendations for use prior to starting any project.

• Always read labels and instructions before using any chemicals or machinery.

The Importance of Plumbing Maintenance

Experience has revealed that accidents can occur at any given time, and at any given place, and to anyone who is unlucky enough to be selected. On the off chance that something occurs someone should be ready, and it is better to have ruined fixtures and personal effects than to have them irretrievably ruined.

Understanding the ways how to face a plumbing emergency without putting your own and your family’s lives at risk, as well as prevent any further harm from the water that is flowing through your pipes is highly important.