Should I Find an Emergency Plumber Near Me for a Leak, or Fix it Myself?
Pipe and appliance leaks seem to never stop happening around the house. By the time one leak is fixed, another one starts and it is just a vicious cycle of never-ending plumbing problems. But before you resort to that simple “Emergency plumber near me” Google search, there are steps you can take to be proactive and potentially stop the leak before it even happens. There are also at-home remedies you can use to stop the leak yourself.
The Benefits of Regular Maintenance
Most people are taught to change the batteries in the smoke detectors every six months, regardless of whether they are dead or not. It is just a good practice and habit to get into to ensure your home is in good shape. Plumbing seals should be on the same schedule as your smoke detectors.
The easiest way to know when to replace a pipe or seal is to be around when it breaks, but that will just cause more stress and harm than good. Checking the seals and pipes regularly for erosion and discolouration can catch the leak before it becomes a problem. You will sleep easier and be able to avoid making that “emergency plumber near me” phone call in the middle of the night.
When a Leak Happens
If something does happen, and you still end up with a leak (regardless of how small) the first thing you should do is cut off the water supply to the appliance or pipe. If you are unsure where the leak is coming from, or if there is no way to turn the water off near the leak, then locate your main water valve for the whole house and shut off all the water. This will give you the time to figure out what you need to do and the next steps to take to fix the leak.
Afterwards, you should clean the area and keep an eye out for any additional spillage buildup. This way you can track the rate of the leak. If there is no way for you to fix the leak yourself, you can call an emergency plumber in Harrow, an emergency plumber in Shephard’s Bush, or anywhere else in the greater London area and they will be able to assist you as needed.
Supplies to Keep at Hand
In addition to the proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk of a leak, there are some supplies that are worth having around in the event you do get a leak. Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.
After shutting off the water, you can use any hardware store sealant around the exposed leak to keep it from seeping any further. You can also use engineers tape to wrap any pipes or valves to improve the sealed connection. Fighting leaks can be a tiresome task, but taking the right steps to avoid them can become second nature. After all, no one wants to start their day with “So yesterday I had to call an emergency plumber near me…”
