How to Deal with a Winter Plumbing Emergency

Plumbing emergencies can hit your home at the worst times – whether it’s a tiny drip slowly turning into a massive mess or a sudden burst pipe spraying water all over a room.

Getting through cold weather can also wreak havoc on both you and your home’s plumbing system. If you’ve neglected some plumbing maintenance items, winter is when that comes back to haunt you.

Remember the old saying about an ounce of prevention? There are some tasks that you can handle yourself to prepare your plumbing for a visit from Jack Frost.

But there are some you should ask your favorite plumber (us!) to handle. The Brooklyn plumbing experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning are always happy to take care of any problems created by freezing temperatures, including plumbing emergencies in Brooklyn, NY.

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

The most common problem during winter months is frozen pipes. If the water stops coming out of one or more of your faucets, you likely have a frozen pipe somewhere in the house. Some other signs of a frozen or burst pipe include a drop in water pressure, strange gurgling noises from your plumbing, leaks, and puddles.

1) Adjust Your Heat

Keep the heat on, no lower than 55°F to avoid frozen pipes. Keep interior doors open to allow warm air to circulate and open up cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathrooms to let warm air reach the pipes. If your pipes have frozen, they may have burst, so call us so we can replace that section of pipe.

2) Turn off Your Water Lines

On the outside of your house, make sure that outdoor water lines for irrigation and gardening are shut off and drained out. You also need to look out for frozen outdoor drain pipes that may have been clogged with leaves, then frozen over, causing them to back up.

3) Check the Outlets

Check the outlets of any outdoor drain pipes to make sure they are clear of ice. You also want to make sure that they direct water away from your foundation because that leads to another problem, an overworked sump pump.

Dealing with Leaks & Floods

Melting ice and snow always create the potential for basement leaks and flooding. If you suspect you have a leak, you can always contact us for leak detection and repair. Make sure the sump pit for your sump pump is clear and doesn’t contain debris. Sometimes sump pump drain pipes can freeze, but you can pour boiling water down the drain to clear them.

Tips To Remember During Plumbing Emergencies

If your pipes freeze and burst, or you have any other plumbing emergency, you need immediate assistance from an emergency plumber. Since 1906, Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning has been your trusted Brooklyn plumber, and we have seen all types of Brooklyn plumbing emergencies and the effect that they can have on your home. The key to keeping your sanity in a plumbing emergency is to remember a few simple tips:

1) Stop the Plumbing Emergency

The Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning team highly recommends having your shut-off valves checked periodically to ensure that they are working correctly. In addition, having your shut-off valves tagged for identification will be extremely helpful in saving time and any possible water damage in the event of a plumbing emergency.

Whatever the emergency, determine the source of the issue and shut off water to that particular part of your plumbing system. You may be able to turn off your water at the pipe just before the area if you are dealing with a localized emergency like a sink, or you may need to shut off water for your entire home.

2) Stop the Flow of Water

Drain all of the water you can from the lines, including your heating and air system and water heater. Turn on the hot and cold water in all sinks so that you can run as much water as possible out of your plumbing system.

3) Stop the Water Damage

Clean up water from the mess as quickly as possible. But first, it’s essential to shut off electricity to any areas affected by the plumbing emergency. Mold and mildew are prone to grow in wet areas, and removing standing water and any damp items from the area can help reduce your risks.

Call the Brooklyn Emergency Plumbing Pros

Plumbing emergencies can happen to anyone. However, preventive maintenance can help keep these types of emergencies from happening to you.

If you notice any issues with your plumbing – whether you have frozen pipes, slow drain, a leaky faucet, or any other plumbing problem, have the professionals at Petri’s Plumbing inspect your plumbing system before the minor issue becomes a major emergency.

Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning can handle all types of plumbing issues and emergencies, so if you find yourself in a bind or just want to be proactive and have your plumbing inspected to have peace of mind, we can help with all your Brooklyn plumbing needs. Give us a call if you are dealing with a plumbing emergency!