Plumbing Problems: Find Yours on This List
There’s no good time to have plumbing problems, and chances are one will strike at the least convenient time possible. If you’re experiencing a problem in your Oklahoma home, you should contact a plumber right away. However, what do you do before the plumber arrives? Browse this list of plumbing problems to see how to immediately handle the situation.
Smell of natural gas: Evacuate your home immediately without using a phone or any other electrical source, as this could cause a spark. Only call the gas company once you’re safely outside.
Leak in the yard: Locate the water meter and shut off the valve on the outlet side.
Leak from an unknown interior location: Until you identify exactly what’s causing the leak, shut off the water to the house. Since a condensate drain overflow could cause the problem, turn the air conditioner up to 82 degrees to minimize operation until the plumber arrives.
Leak from the water heater: Shut off the inlet valve on the water heater, and turn off the gas or electricity providing power to the water heater.
Toilet overflowing: Shut off the inlet valve behind the toilet and open the sewer clean-out plug on the outside of your home. Remove any soiled rugs and mop up the mess as best as you can with rags.
Bubbling sounds from first-floor drains: Do not operate any water fixtures upstairs, since it’s possible a sewer or drain stoppage is what’s causing the problem. Open the sewer clean-out plug outside the home and await a plumber’s instructions.
Kitchen sink stopped up: If the disposal is broken and the kitchen sink is backed up, open the clean-out plug outside your home and wait for the plumber to arrive.
Flame or char marks visible on your gas water heater: Shut off the fuel source and discontinue hot water usage until the problem is addressed.
If you’re experiencing these or other plumbing problems, please contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today. We have proudly provided exceptional HVAC services to the Broken Arrow community since 1985.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock