Due to COVID-19 concerns, plumbing problems begin to surface as toilet paper becomes more difficult to come by. When the coronavirus outbreak first surfaced, it caused many people to stockpile essential items such as toilet paper. Fast forward to today, many stores are still out of TP, and people continue scrambling for alternative options.
Pre-Coronavirus days, if a plumbing issue were to occur, making an appointment for the plumber to come to your home seemed like no big deal – but things are a little different now. Since plumbers are considered essential workers, doing their job now comes with the added responsibility of suiting up, cleaning up, and finding ways to do repairs with minimal contact.
Here are a few things you can do to prevent those annoying plumbing issues during COVID-19 and what to do if you absolutely need some assistance.
Think Before You Flush
Prevent plumbing emergencies by not flushing anything other than toilet paper or human waste. Here are a few common items you should not flush!
But what about paper towels or napkins?
No. Even though they are a close substitute for toilet paper, it is highly recommended to avoid flushing.
Okay, so I should be safe flushing flushable wipes… Right?
Unfortunately, no. Even though they say flushable, they in fact can cause issues with your plumbing and it is better to dispose of them in the garbage.
Evaluate the Situation
Before doing anything, it is important to carefully consider the situation. While many plumbing problems are easy enough to fix on your own, some may require a professional plumber’s help. Here are plumbing emergency tips to help you through a situation:
- Shut off the water. For toilets, this can be as simple as turning the valve at the base of behind your commode. For larger emergencies, such as flooding, it is recommended to turn off the main valve in your home.
- Check your water heater. To avoid any damage to the unit, turn off the heater after the main valve is shut off to prevent heat from rising inside – you do not want it to burst or overheat. (Note: if you have a gas water heater, always turn the gas off first).
- Tackle small leaks. This type of emergency is minor and if you have a small leak, stop it as best as possible. You can also use rags or towels around pipes or keep a bucket under the dripping leaks to control any potential damage.
- Call and listen. Calling a professional can help you figure out if the situation is too dangerous and if it is something that is out of your reach.
COVID-19 Precautions
If all else fails and a professional needs to come to your house, there are some important measures that will help you and your plumber feel more at ease.
- Practice social distancing while remaining at least 6 feet apart
- Have hand sanitizer and/or hand soap available
- Wear facemasks
- Clean and disinfect all surfaces before and after the plumber arrives/leaves
We provide professional plumbing services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients throughout Southern Florida. At Need a Plumber, Inc. We take COVID-19 seriously and in order to protect our employees and clients we follow all CDC recommended guidelines. We provide fast response time, competitive rates, and reliable service. Need A Plumber? Schedule an appointment today and call us at 954-445-6443 or use our contact form.
