Few things are more unsettling than seeing your home flood, no matter the cause: a burst pipe, water heater malfunction, stormwater, sewage backflow, or otherwise. Even a minor leak is nothing to scoff at. Nevertheless, you should know what to do during a residential plumbing emergency and how to prevent them from occurring.

Hicks Plumbing technicians offer 24/7 service for plumbing emergencies in Fairfax, VA. Our options include bathroom and kitchen plumbing, as well as water and sewer line repair or replacement. For a leaky faucet or pipe replacement, we’re committed to high-quality workmanship and prompt customer service. Call us at (703) 803-7466 or fill out a contact form today.

Below, we discuss what you can do during a plumbing emergency, how our technicians will address the situation, and how to prevent further plumbing emergencies:

What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency

If your plumbing system has flooded your home and you’ve called for help, what can you do while you wait? We recommend:

• Put your safety first and exit your house if you feel unsafe. Flooding emergencies create electrical and falling risks.
• Turn off the main water supply valve as soon as possible. You should investigate where to find your shutoff valve before a problem arises.
• Turn off the electricity in flooded rooms if it is safe to do so. Do not wade through water to access your home’s breaker box, as you may get electrocuted.
• Avoid turning on your TV, household appliances, or ceiling fixtures. If a ceiling is wet and sagging, don’t enter that room!
• Do NOT use a household vacuum to remove water.

Our Steps Upon Arrival

Once our technicians arrive, they will do the following:

• If your basement has a sump pump and they can safely access it, they’ll try to get the pump working. Sump pumps are the easiest way to remove water from basements.
• Once your basement is safe to enter, our technicians will start cleaning and blotting the floors to remove extra water. They’ll dry the water off wood furniture and raise wet upholstery/cushions so they can dry.
• We’ll create a barrier between the saturated carpet and furniture legs and make sure there are no books, magazines, rugs, or anything on the carpet that could bleed.
• We’ll continue our water cleanup with an approved wet/dry vacuum.

What to Do Once We Leave

Following our work and the plumbing emergency, you can move into clean-up mode. Allow air to circulate through your basement. In the summer, start the drying process with ceiling fans (unless the ceiling is damp) or air conditioning.

Additionally, place family treasures, art, and other valuable items in a secure, dry location. Then, hang wet fabrics and leather products to dry.

How to Prevent Future Plumbing Emergencies

Whether or not you’ve suffered a plumbing emergency at this point, you can take steps to prepare for and even avoid them. For instance, if you use your basement for storage, move precious personal items off the floor and onto high shelves.

Next, schedule a preventative cleaning for your sewer pipe, especially if it’s old or has a history of clogging. Every five years, you should have a professional inspect and/or replace your sump pump. Finally, book an expert to install a battery backup sump pump for you. If your primary sump pump breaks or you lose power, these units ensure your pump continues to function.

Hicks Plumbing: 24/7 Plumbing Emergency Services in Fairfax, VA

Hicks Plumbing offers prompt responses to residential plumbing emergency calls in Fairfax, VA. As a full-service plumbing company, we specialize in both routine and emergency plumbing repair. With over 30 years of experience, we have the knowledge to address any concerns and get the job done right the first time. Fill out a contact form online or call us today at (703) 803-7466 for your plumbing needs.