Many homeowners fail to recognize the importance of a quick response time to their plumbing emergencies. It can be very easy to ignore the warning signs of a
plumbing problem, but there are some major reasons why you may wish to consider acting fast.
Water Damage
Water damage is the primary problem associated with most plumbing emergencies. Any time that water is leaking into your home, there is the risk of water damage. Unfortunately, the damage will only escalate if it is not dealt with quickly. If the situation is left unchecked, you will end up spending more to replace drywall, flooring and other materials damaged during the leak. In order to minimize water damage, you will need to turn off the water supply and have a professional plumber detect and correct the underlying problem.
Mold
This is another important reason to handle your plumbing emergency immediately. Mold is a nasty problem and is associated with a number of health issues. Mold will flourish in damp conditions, so when a leak does undetected, the resulting water will encourage mold growth. The major issue with mold is that it can spread relatively undetected behind cabinets, walls, tiles and other hidden areas. The only indication of a mold issue that you may be able to detect is a musty smell, but this may not be apparent until the mold growth is fairly extensive. Mold remediation can be costly, so prevention is far better than the cure.
Water Waste
Preventing water waste is another important reason to deal with plumbing emergencies as quickly as possible. Even a minute leak can waste massive amounts of water over time. A small leak losing just one drop of water each minute could add up to 34 gallons of lost water in a year. Wasting water will not only cost you money in increased utility bills, but it is detrimental to the environment. In order to avoid wasting water, it is important to turn off your supply at the main water line and call in your plumber immediately.
Personal Safety
A plumbing emergency is not only a risk of damaging your personal possessions, but it can also be a risk to your personal safety. While mold and water damage often come to mind in a plumbing emergency, there is also the issue of electricity. Water and electricity do not mix, which means that when water is leaking near electrical equipment or power lines, there is a significant risk of electric shock. To avoid any complications and ensure that you and your family remain safe, turn off the water supply and call in a plumber immediately.
Plumbing emergencies can be scary and frustrating, but it is important to stay calm. If you have a plan ready in case of emergency, you can act quickly and minimize damage. It is a good idea to have your plumber’s contact information on hand and ensure that they are available around the clock. Remember that an emergency is not the right time for testing DIY skills as many emergencies can potentially be dangerous. Therefore, you need to leave an emergency to a trained
professional plumber who can deal with it quickly and efficiently.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solutions.
