Most Common Household Emergencies You Should Know How to Handle

Every one of us experienced a household emergency at least once in our life. But, do you remember how you reacted? Was your reaction appropriate or were you confused about how to solve the problem? This guide will help you recognize and handle most common household emergencies.

Blocked drains

Toilet, shower or sink drains usually get blocked by things that shouldn’t be flushed. Toilets particularly can’t handle anything but water, toilet paper and bodily fluids, so don’t even try to flush anything else. The shower usually gets clogged by hair, but that’s easily solved by removing the hair out of the drain (use gloves, the things you might pull out are very gross). If this doesn’t work, grab a plunger and get to work. You can also break down the blockage with baking soda and vinegar, but be careful not to cause pipe corrosion. If everything fails, call a professional! There are emergency drainage services  available you come up against a blockage that is having a knock-on effect in other areas of your home. Do not attempt this yourself when it is causing more problems, as you may damage other parts of your home.

Water leaks

If you see your faucet or pipe leaking, the best thing you can do is plug the leak and get a new fixture or pipe. This costs anywhere from $50 to a few hundred bucks, but unless you handle the leak, the water damage can cost you thousands of dollars.

Damaged roof and gutters

If you notice any damage to your roof, it’s best if you call a pro to handle your problem such as Metal Roofing Central Coast (climbing the roof if you have no experience can be quite dangerous). On the other hand, if you have clogged gutters or downpipes, you can handle that yourself. Leaves are the usual culprits, so remove them and the water will flow freely.

Broken heating or cooling

If your heating or cooling doesn’t perform as it used to, makes weird noises, won’t turn on or is leaking water, you probably have a faulty system. These can all be avoided with proper and regular maintenance. But in case of a breakdown, turn the system off and call a licensed professional who will remove the problem or replace your unit.

Trip switch

Most modern electric circuits have a trip switch that turns off the electricity in case a fault develops. They are usually located near or on your fuse box (make sure every adult in your household knows where it’s placed). Switches usually trip if the circuit is overloaded with appliances or there is a faulty appliance. When your switch trips, perform a test: unplug all appliances, flick the switch back on and re-plug items one by one. If your switch trips again, you’ll know which item is broken. In case you can’t perform the test yourself or you’re unable to locate the problematic appliance, don’t hesitate to call an emergency electrician that will fix the issue for you and save you a lot of trouble.

Power failure

Most power failures (you’ll know you’re experiencing one if your trip switch looks okay) are caused by extreme weather, which means there’s nothing you can do but wait. In case there was no harsh weather, there might be a scheduled interruption. If that’s not the case, then call your supplier’s emergency number and they will give you all the information on your power loss. In the meantime, make sure to have candles, flashlights and a gas cooking equipment that will keep you comfortable until the power comes back on.

Gas leaks

Gas leaks are probably the most dangerous of all household emergencies. If you smell gas, make sure not to have any open flame, turn electrical appliances off, open doors and windows and turn off the gas supply. As soon as you can, contact your gas fitter who will fix the leak.

Household problems will grind your gears, but there’s no need to panic. Simply follow these tips and you’ll fix your issue in no time.