The consequences of a water leak can range from merely annoying to devastating. If you’ve discovered that you have a plumbing leak somewhere in your Midland, TX, residence, it’s essential to know what to do to reverse any damage or prevent it from getting worse. Here are a few basic steps we recommend taking as soon as you become aware that you’ve sprung a leak:
Shut Off the Water
Once you’ve detected a water leak, the first thing to do is to tackle the immediate source of the problem. We advise you to shut all of your faucets, close the valve at the base of your commode, turn off your home’s main valve and so on. This will stop the leaking water.
Open Your Drains or Spigots
Even after you’ve shut all valves, there may still be water sitting in your pipes that has the potential to leak out. We recommend that you open your drains or turn on your outdoor garden hose to flush it out.
Check Your Water Heater
After you’ve closed your home’s main valve, it’s important to shut off your water heater. If you don’t do this, heat will accumulate inside the system and wreak havoc. If your water heater runs on gas, shut off the gas as well.
Ascertain What Kind of Water Leak You Have
Broadly speaking, whatever the ultimate source or cause of your water leak, it falls into one of three categories: non-damaging, mildly damaging or severe. Each will require a different kind of response.
The first type of water leak is merely inconvenient and surface-level, though it may demand time to clean up. The second is difficult but may become serious if not properly dealt with. Into this latter category fall things like wall leaks, faucet or shower leaks or any other kind of dripping from your home appliances.
The final category concerns extremely serious water leaks that have the power to cause lasting damage to your home, which means they call for immediate action. Slab leaks and ruptured or frozen pipes are paradigmatic examples of something in this category.
To help you deal with any kind of plumbing issue in Midland, TX, call WTR (West Texas Refrigeration) to schedule our professional plumbing services. We’ll be glad to help you out.
Image provided by iStock
