The plumbing in your home probably does its job every day and you spend very little, if any, time thinking about it. In many cases, the plumbing is hidden in the walls although exposed plumbing is becoming more popular.
The downside to hidden plumbing is that it’s harder to see issues. You may have a leaking pipe or joint that is hidden, preventing you from realizing there is an issue. This can then lead to issues such as wet rot and other structural issues.
But, perhaps the biggest threat your plumbing offers is simply to burst and start flooding your home. Old pipes and joints will eventually fail causing a pipe to burst. It can also happen in a cold winter when the water freezes inside the pipes.
This is why you should make yourself aware of the number of the local emergency plumber Sydney and what to do if a pipe bursts.
The Main Valve
The first thing you need to do is shut off the water supply. It’s important you identify the main valve now, this will allow you to go straight to it and shut off the water. The quicker you do this the less damage there will be to your home.
It is possible that you’ll have a local valve that will allow you to shut off some of the water in your home rather than all of it. The best approach is to shut the main valve off first and then take a look at the localized valves to see if they can be used.
Find The Leak
Your next step must be to find the leak and see if there is anything you can do to stop it. Shutting off the main water supply should eliminate the water coming out of the leak. However, if you have a water tank and the leak is near it you may find the water is still pouring out. In this instance, you’ll need to drain the tank as fast as possible via a tap or the drain valve on the water heater.
Identifying the leak will also make it easier to point the plumber in the right direction.
Pictures
A leak can cause a lot of damage in a short space of time. In most cases, the flooring and furniture in the room will be damaged and need to be replaced. This is expensive and means starting an insurance claim. You’ll find it’s easier to claim if you’ve taken pictures of the leak and the damage.
Clean Up
With plenty of pictures taken and the events recorded in writing, you’ll be able to start mopping up the mess. Any furniture that got wet will need to be removed and dried. It’s unlikely to be re-useable but you may want to try.
Carpets and other floor coverings will need to be removed and thrown away. You’ll want to pump or sweep the water out of your house and allow it to start airing as this is the fastest way to dry it. It takes time but your house can be just as good as it was.