So you're looking for an emergency plumber in Naperville, IL? Oftentimes when plumbing emergencies happen it doesn't just happen to you or me, oftentimes it's a result of brutal cold and freezing pipes and the whole neighborhood could have issues. This could mean a long wait til you get an emergency plumber out to your house. Below are some tips on how to deal with emergency plumbing issues as well as some tools and items you may want to have around the house to deal with these issues. Hope this helps you out. Feel free to check out the
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| Emergency Plumbing Tips |
Plumber's Emergency Kit - Things To Keep Around The House
- Use a 5 gallon bucket as a tool holder. And if a leak springs mid-project, it'll catch the water. A tool caddy can also be attached to the bucket providing a place for everything.A bucket is good however as it's dual purpose, hold tools and catch water if need be.
- Keep a forced cup and a regular plunger handy. Each plunger has its own specific use and provides extra unclogging power. This is important to remember.
- Wrenches are essential in plumbing. A pair of medium sized slip joint pliers and an adjustable wrench should cover most jobs, along with various sized wrenches.Every household should have a tool box laying around somewhere. If you don't have one get one. We have a number of places in Naperville you can get these plumbing tools. Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and if you're looking to save a few bucks try out Harbor Freight which is near the Culvers and First Mid-west Bank on 75th street and Rt. 59.
- A multi-bit screwdriver can reduce the number of tools that need to be carried around on the job.
- An assortment of Allen keys is very handy and has many uses.Again, every household should have these lying around in a junk drawer somewhere.
- Duct tape and leak sealing tape can help out in a plumbing emergency until a permanent fix can be made. Teflon tape will seal up leaks from around threaded connections.
- A variety of blind caps can help you see your way through repairing a broken valve.
- Heavy duty paper towels or rags will help clean up water from small leaks. Old rags are good to keep around the house for cleaning as well as to mop up spills as you won't care if you get poop water on them and have to throw them away.
- Always know where the main water shut-off valve is located in case of a leak.This is critically important to know.
- Know how to turn off the water heater. If it's a gas water heater, turn the switch to the "pilot" position.There should be instructions on the outside of your water heater.
- Isolation valves located at each fixture will stop the flow of water to that location. This allows water to continue to service the remainder of the house while the leak is being repaired. It's a good idea to turn on and off each isolation valve in the house at least once a year to keep them in good working condition. These should be much easier to find than the houses main water valve shutoff.
- Using two wrenches at once turning in opposite directions is called "backing off" and allows the wrench to absorb the stress and not the plumbing.This is plumbing 101.
- Slip joint pliers can be used to loosen the collar nuts on a drain line. If you don't know what this is ask someone at the hardware store and they would be happy to help you find it.
- If a supply tube break off is causing a leak, screw in a blind cap to seal off the leak until it can be fixed.
- Occasionally, the ferrules in a supply tube can get scratched or dented causing water to leak. Use Teflon tape around the ferrule until a permanent repair can be made.
- Use duct tape or pipe sealing tape to pull together a crack in a pipe, reducing the leak as a temporary solution.
- A cup plunger can be used for small drains like bath tubs, showers and lavatory sinks. Forced cup plungers have a funnel that can apply extra force down the drain, which is good for sinks or toilets.
- When unclogging a kitchen sink, use a second plunger to cover the other drain to get the most force to remove the clog.
- To unclog a toilet, use a forced cup plunger.
- For bathtub clogs, unscrew the chrome cap — this exposes the entire drain. Once the mechanism is removed, you'll be able to see the clog. Put the plunger on the drain, and then use the second plunger to plug up the tub's overflow. Plunge the drain to remove the clog.
- Allen wrenches are useful for working on a faucet and garbage disposals.
If you're in Naperville IL and have a plumbing Emergency and don't have anyone to call you may want to check out Jim Wagner, plumbing. We did an article about him which you can read below...
Emergency Plumber In Naperville