01 Sep Steps To Take While Waiting For Plumbing Repair

So you decided to call a plumber? Great choice. Instead of taking on extra risk with DIY repairs, having plumbing experts repair your plumbing can save a great deal of time and money in the long run.

While you wait for the plumber to arrive, there are a few things you can do to prepare your home and make your time together more effective.

We’ve rounded up our top five steps to take while you wait for the plumber to arrive:

Turn Off The Water To The Leak Location

Every home comes equipped with a water shut-off valve during installation. It’s very important that you know where your water shut-off valve is located in your home for emergencies. While you wait for the plumbing specialist to arrive and begin your repair, you should turn off the water flow to your home. We also recommend monthly leak inspections to try and spot any issues early.

Depending on the nature of the repair, further steps might be needed here. For example, if your plumbing specialist is repairing your faucet, you should turn on the faucet after the water has been shut off to drain any excess water from the pipe.

Take Photos Of The Leak

You should clean up the area as much as possible before the plumbing specialist arrives. But a picture is worth a thousand words, especially when you’re trying to explain an issue to an expert. Try to take some photos of the area and any damage going on to help you explain the issue to the plumber. 

Clear Items From The Area To Prevent Damage

Is the plumbing specialist patching the pipes in your basement? Are they fixing your kitchen faucet? Are they hydrojetting a drain? It’s important to give the plumber the space they need to get the job done well. Clear the area of anything that could be in their way. This includes any belongings, especially ones that could get damaged by spraying water if something goes wrong. 

Remove Water As It Leaks Out

Let’s say you have a toilet that’s overflowing or a huge puddle on the floor… Try to wipe up and remove as much water as possible before the plumber arrives. This will make the plumbing specialist’s job easier, and lessen the damage any sitting water would have done to your floors, cabinets, etc.

Keep A Clear Path To The Leak

If you’re having a larger plumbing issue, such as a flood, your first priority is to move everything valuable out of the water. Just make sure you have a path to the issue so the plumber can reach the area quickly.

Write Down Pertinent Information

Do this for the same reason you took pictures of the issue before cleaning the area. Write down as much information and facts about the problem as possible, while it’s all still fresh in your mind. This will help you explain the issues to the plumber, as well as serving as documentation for leak protection on home insurance you can refer to. Here are some pieces of info to include:

• When did you first notice the issue?

• What were all the signs you had this problem?

• What does the problem look, smell, or sound like?

• How long was it broken before calling a plumber?

• How long have you had your home? 

• How long has it been since you replaced your pipes?

• When was your last plumbing inspection? 

• Have you had issues with those pipes, fixtures, or areas before?

Write Down Any Questions

It can be a little frustrating as a homeowner dealing with repairs to have a bunch of questions and then forgetting to ask them. If this is something that you’re worried about, it can be helpful to write a list of questions to ask the plumbing specialist, such as:

• What will all the repairs cost me?

• When will my pipes, fixtures, drains be usable again?

• Will this problem likely occur again?

• What can I do to prevent this in the future?

• When I have my next plumbing inspection, are there any papers I should give them?

• Are there any warning signs I should watch out for to catch the issue faster?

That being said, if you think of a question after the plumber leaves, most are happy to answer them over the phone.

Stay Calm And Be Patient

The plumbing specialist will be there as quickly as possible. Even if you’re experiencing a rather intense plumbing emergency, panicking won’t fix the problem any faster. Take a deep breath, think about what you can do to help the plumber properly diagnose and fix the issue, and wait for them to arrive. 

535 Plumbing

In need of repair services for your home or business? If so, we can help you repair anything plumbing related. We offer water damage cleanup, water heater repair, drain repairs, and pipe repairs. Ready to get started? Give us a call at (808) 300-0535 today. We’d be happy to help you with all your plumbing needs!