No matter what you do or where you live – one thing is for certain. You will, at least once, have to deal with a major home emergency, so it’s very important to know who to turn to and what you can do in order to solve the problem. Yes, we all find these home emergencies daunting and nerve-wracking, but it’s also just one part of life. From plumbing and electricity problems, to more serious ones such as a leaky roof or a pipe that’s making a mess to having the right cordless drill, all of these problems are not impossible to solve. Take a look at some of the most common home emergencies and what you can do to stop them.
1. Power Blackout
This is probably the most common home emergency problem, and sometimes the fault might not be on your end. However, when it actually is, you need to know how to correctly address the problem. The majority of power failures are caused by extreme weather, and the best thing that you can do to solve this is to be prepared. So what can you do prevent this? First of all, buy a generator if you can, as you will need this in case a blackout happens. Also, pay attention to any hazards – trim the branches of your trees as you don’t want them on your power lines, and have an emergency plan in order to go out of the garage in case there’s no power.
2. Blocked pipes and drains
This is a common home emergency, but it’s also one that’s extremely nerve-wracking, as it can cause plenty of problems. Once this happens in a city that’s very busy, such as cities in Australia or the USA, it can be even worse as you might need to wait a bit until you can find the right people for this job. Opting for companies such as the trusted R&G Plumbing will make this task simpler, as they can definitely help you tremendously in an expected time frame so that you don’t experience more problems. The drains that get clogged the most are your shower drains, mostly because of the hairs that get stuck there while you’re showering. Also, think of your toilet and don’t throw many unwanted things in there.
3. Broken pipes
Another thing that you will need a good plumber for is the fact that sometimes your pipes might get broken, and if it’s the hot water pipe – even worse. This can cause so many other problems in your house, so it would be good to have a plumber come to your home and check if everything is in perfect order. Bear in mind that a water heater has a life expectancy of circa 15 years, so perhaps you will soon need to install a new water heater – thus, make sure to ask around for a good installer.
4. Damaged roof
One of the most expensive home emergencies that never comes very lightly, is a damaged roof. This can be repaired only by a licensed professional. One of the best ways to prevent this is by regularly cleaning the leaves. Leaves can build up in droves over time, which can block water from accessing the drainage. Also, if you see small holes that form in gutters through rust, the only thing you will need is a tube of roofing cement and a gutter scoop. Apply the roofing cement a few inches on either side of the hole and you will probably fix the problem. However, if you are more comfortable with calling a handyman to see if the problem is fixed, feel free to do that.
5. Gas leak
Gas leaks are common, but they are also very dangerous. They can result in a fire or even an explosion, so this is not a matter that you should save money on. If you smell gas, make sure to turn everything electrical off, open all the doors and windows, turn off the gas supply at the meter, and contact your gas fitter to repair the leak. Also, don’t smoke or light any matches or lighters.
Even though there are many more home emergencies that you need to know how to deal with, these are the most important ones. Be prepared, as it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
