Plumbing emergencies can strike at any time and catch a Novato homeowner off guard. Waking up to water spraying from a burst pipe or finding foul sewage odors in your bathroom after a storm can be a nuisance. Because Marin County’s Mediterranean climate brings wet winters and older homes often have aging pipes, Novato residents need to be prepared. Burst pipes, clogged drains, failing water heaters, or sewer backups can cause serious damage if not handled quickly. And the key is to stop the water, contain the problem as best as you can, and then call a professional.
In this guide, we have shared some emergency plumbing tips that Novato homeowners should know to minimize the damage and wait till experienced emergency plumbers like those of John Owens Services arrive to solve the plumbing issue. John Owens Services has provided trusted, local plumbing services to Novato and all of Marin County since 1986, and is one click away whenever a real emergency happens.
Before tackling a specific issue, there are some basic urgent actions you need to take whenever you have a plumbing problem. Here are some steps you can apply to all emergency situations and prevent further damage while you wait for the emergency service to come:
Immediately locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and turn it clockwise to cut water flow. If the leak is isolated, like a faucet or toilet, shut off the fixture’s local valve instead. Stopping the water quickly will limit the flooding and water damage.
If the emergency involves a burst pipe or major leak, shut off the power or gas to the water heater as well. If you run a heater without water, it can burn out its heating elements or send hot water surging into the leak. Flip the breaker or switch off the gas valve as needed to protect the unit.
Contain the leak by using towels, mopping up excess water with a wet or dry vacuum, or placing buckets under dripping pipes. For a small crack or hole, you can temporarily wrap it with duct tape or plumbing tape to slow the flow. Furthermore, remove any furniture and electronics from the area, and mop up visible water. The entire goal is to limit damage until the plumber arrives.
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If there is flooding near electrical outlets or appliances, shut off power at the circuit breaker or main panel in order to avoid shocks. This is especially important for basement or laundry room leaks. Keep all cords and electronics away from wet floors.
Wear boots or old shoes around flooding, especially if a sewer backup is involved. Sewage and debris can carry bacteria, so you must avoid direct contact. If a pipe bursts, do not try to crawl under water to reach the shutoff.
In Novato, CA, sudden breaks can happen when old or galvanized pipes crack under pressure or due to soil movement. In fact, heavy rains after a dry spell can cause ground shifts that can damage buried pipes. Additionally, clay soil and roots from mature trees can also cause broken pipes in older neighborhoods.
The common signs of a burst pipe are hissing or booming sounds inside walls, a drop in water pressure, or water pooling on floors with no obvious source. If you have water stains on ceilings or floors, or windows suddenly start dripping, it means water is escaping the plumbing system.
As mentioned above, shut off the main water supply, open faucets at the lowest and highest points in your home to drain remaining water from the system. This will reduce pressure and might let you perform a temporary patch if needed. For a temporary fix, you can wrap the leak with rubber and tightly apply hose clamps or heavy-duty tape. If there’s a larger break, do not try to cut the pipe or do complex repairs yourself; just focus on draining and containing water, then call a local plumber in Novato.
Drain clogs are common due to Novato’s rainy season and tree-rich neighborhoods. Heavy winter rains can sweep yard debris, leaves, and sediment into outdoor drains and vent stacks.
If water is slow to drain from sinks or showers, toilets gurgle or bubble when other fixtures run, or you notice sewage odors in your home, then it’s likely to be a sewer blockage. However, do not pour liquid drain cleaners or bleach as they can’t clear deep sewer clogs and can make a backup messier and dangerous.
Here are some of the fixes you can try:
Always call a licensed plumber technician in case of a raw sewage flooding, as it requires drain cleaning tools like a hydro-jetter, snakes, etc. In the meantime, ventilate the area, and put down old towels or plastic sheeting to protect floors and carpets. You may try to collect leaking water in buckets wearing gloves and goggles, but never wait to fix a sewage backup yourself.
If you are experiencing a sudden loss of hot water or water pooling around your heater, these are all red flags. Water heater malfunctions can flood a laundry room or garage quickly.
Here are some of the emergency actions you can take for a water heater malfunction:
Because Novato homes use water heaters year-round, John Owens’ plumbers carry replacement parts on every truck. In an emergency water heater repair, our plumbers can often replace a failed element on the spot.
Regular maintenance is the key to avoiding emergencies. In Novato’s climate, it is necessary to schedule drain cleaning each fall before the rains and inspect your pipes every few years. Replace galvanized or corroded pipes before they fail, and trim tree roots away from sewer lines. Make sure your sump pump is working before winter rains. Test it by pouring water into its pit and checking if it activates.
When a real emergency happens in Novato, these tips can limit damage. But the best move is to call a trusted local plumber immediately. John Owens Services has been Marin and Sonoma County’s go-to plumbing company since 1986.
With over 35 years of experience in providing services to homes throughout Marin and Sonoma County, John Owens understands Novato’s plumbing needs. We know the rainy climate, old neighborhoods, and how to diagnose emergencies quickly.
Do not panic if a pipe bursts or your sewer backs up. Use the steps above to protect your home, then contact John Owens Services immediately. Acting fast with the emergency plumbing tips and calling Novato’s experts can mean the difference between a minor scare and major damage.
Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.
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