Home Emergencies You Should Know How to Handle

There’s no better feeling than being a homeowner! And there’s no worse feeling than having to deal with a home emergency (and the repair bills that come with them). As a homeowner, you should be prepared to handle a select few emergencies to limit the amount of damage that comes with them.

1. A Burst Plumbing Pipe

When a pipe bursts, it can be one of the messiest and most costly of all home emergencies. Between removing water damage, mold remediation, and fixing the plumbing itself, this plumbing nightmare is one that should be avoided at all costs.

• Insulate exposed plumbing (especially in garages and basements) to prevent water within the pipes from freezing, expanding, and causing the pipes to burst.

• Have plumbing inspected for rust and damage on a yearly basis.

• If a pipe does burst, know where the main water shutoff valve is located and turn it closed. Then proceed to call your local plumber to assess the damage.

2. A Gas Leak

When a home has a gas leak, you won’t always know it. Even though some gases might have a slight odor to them, others (Carbon Monoxide) do not. Inhaling certain gases can be deadly and it’s important to know when there’s gas in the air. To avoid being a victim of a gas leak, install Carbon Monoxide detectors throughout the house. These detectors will warn you when gas is present in the air, so you can evacuate the house immediately. From here, call your local gas company and an HVAC technician if you have a gas furnace.

3. Furnace Failure

Not only can gas furnaces cause gas leaks, they can also flatout fail. Most people find that their furnaces will fail on the coldest nights of the winter when they need heat the most. If yours does fail, immediately check to see if your furnace has a clogged filter or if it has tripped the circuit breaker (if you have an electric furnace). If neither of these are the problem, go ahead and call your local HVAC technician.

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to look after the house and handle any emergencies as they happen. Whether your home needs a professional plumber or HVAC technician to fix a home emergency, our Service Professionals are always ready for your call!