Even the best maintained home will eventually have an emergency strike. When that happens, many homeowners are often so distraught that they become paralyzed and unsure what to do or who to call for help. Sometimes repairs are easily managed yourself and sometimes it's easier, more effective, or more cost-effective to call in a professional right away. How do you know what's the best response? It really depends on the emergency and your level of comfort when it occurs, but here are some general strategies to keep in mind.
1. Kitchen Grease Fires: Although your instinct is to put out a fire with water, if a grease fire happens while cooking, never pour water on it! Water will simply make the grease splash and make the fire bigger. Instead, use a pot lid to suffocate the fire; and if you don't have a lid, carefully pour plenty of baking soda directly onto the flames.
2. Broken Water Pipes: If you discover a leaking pipe or wake up to a flooded house an know suspect a broken pipe is he culprit, you'll want to first turn off the main water valve, typically found in the basement or near the front of your home, to prevent further damage. You'll then need to trace the leak to its source so that you can replace the broken pipe. An emergency plumber can take care of this for you, but a general contractor can do this as well as give your home a once-over to check for and repair any water damage that may have occurred because of the leak.
3. Overflowing Toilet: If your toilet won't stop running and looks like it's going to overflow, you'll want to turn off the valve at the back of the toilet to stop the water flow. If overflowing happens, usually a quick mop up of the area is enough to clean up the damage, but you'll need to find the source of the problem so it doesn't happen again. You can usually troubleshoot this yourself with the help of the internet, but a quick call to your handyman contractor is often faster. Remember not to use that toilet until you've resolved the issue and turn the water back on!
4. Broken Window: A broken window will require professional help to replace so call your handyman contractor as soon as possible to arrange quick repair, especially in the winter to avoid letting in snow or rain to which can cause more damage. If you are comfortable and able to do so, you can remove the broken or dangerous edges of window from the window frame (make sure to wear thick gloves when you do this), and cover the hole with a garbage bag and the strongest tape you've got.
5. Mice: Not only a dirty houseguest, if left unchecked, mice can cause structural damage to your home as well, so it's best to call an exterminator at the first signs of mice (droppings, nests, or the furry fiends themselves). Having a contractor in and check for damage is always a good idea, too, especially if you've had a particularly hard time getting rid of them with or without an exterminator's help.
6. Ants: Rest assured that, although ants typically are a nuisance that may require an exterminator's help, they won't cause any permanent damage to your home. If you find large, black carpenter ants in your home, though, they can cause serious problems so you'll need to remove them quickly and will likely need to have your home inspected by for damage by a professional contractor so that you don't need even more repairs in the long run.
7. Leaking Ceiling: Catch any water dripping from your ceiling with buckets to prevent any more damage and call a professional home repair contractor. Finding the source of the leak, inspecting the surrounding area for damage, repairing the damage and sealing the area against future damage is a big job for a homeowner, but professional contractors have the knowledge and experience to get everything done faster and more thoroughly. Because often the work needed for these kinds of emergencies are in the walls of the home and can't be seen, look for a contractor that thoroughly cleans up after themselves and offers a guarantee for their work.
Responding to a home emergency requires a calm demeanor and plenty of patience during the repair. While some homeowners are capable of responding to the issues that arise, it's usually a good idea to have a professional on hand that has the know-how to not only get the job done quickly, but has the experience to put measures in place to protect against future repairs, too, saving you time, frustration, and expense.
24/7 Availability
If there's a construction, plumbing, or electrical emergency in your home, our crews are available around the clock to assess damage and make emergency repairs, even during these times of social distancing. Safety is always a top priority for us, and these days is no different, so physical contact with you and your home will be kept to the minimum necessary for needed repairs, communication through phone and email, and our crew will always wear masks and sanitize themselves immediately before arriving to your property.
Your Home Insurance Specialists
If you have homeowners insurance, keep in mind that many companies will require a certified contractor to provide repair estimates and make repairs, so don't forget to find a professional that works well with insurance companies, too. Here at Pro Restoration, our knowledgeable experts work with your home insurance agent on your behalf to get you the most thorough repair at the lowest out of pocket expense possible.
Local, family-owned, and committed to quality, honesty, and equality, Pro Restoration is Washington state's best general contractor for all your home and business repairs and remodels. Fully licensed, bonded, and insured, if you find yourself in need emergency repairs, their experienced crews can take care of everything, from start to finish, and always with quality, integrity, and professionalism.
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