
Preparedness is the name of the game. Water damage from broken pipes or leaking appliances can ruin entire rooms of furniture, walls and flooring and more. Routinely check your washing machine hoses and replace them if they appear old or cracked. Look for any signs of water under sinks, around fixtures and near appliances. Check ceilings and walls for any evidence of a roof leak. Make sure that all appliance connections are tight and not leaking.
Helpful Tip
Keep items in your basement off of the floor where possible. If a pipe bursts and floods your basement, the damage will be minimized and you won’t lose any belongings.
Make sure you know how to turn off water to your fixtures and appliances when needed. Also, note the location of your home’s main water shutoff valve. It may come in handy if you’re unable to turn off water directly to an appliance or fixture, as shutting off the water main cuts off water to the entire building.
Stock up on basic plumbing tools ahead of time before you have a plumbing emergency. Here’s a list of items you should definitely have in your toolbox for plumbing repairs:
- Pipe wrench
- Adjustable (crescent) wrench
- Basin wrench
- Channel-lock pliers
- Auger (“snake”)
- Hacksaw
- Screwdriver set
- Nut driver or socket wrench
- Plunger
- Drain-cleaning tool