As we mentioned before, there are a number of household emergencies that are unfortunately common occurrences. Knowing what can be done to address them will be able to save money, manpower and even lives, believe it or not. In the last part of this series we touched on electricity, electric shock and natural gas leaks. Now let us talk about a couple of other important household emergencies and how to respond to them:
Plumbing Issues - If you detect a strong sewage smell coming from any fixture, it may be indicating that the trap in your waste pipe leading away from said fixture has gone bad in some way. You should pour water down into the drain to see if the smell is going to go away. If the smell does not go away on its own, then you are probably dealing with additional problems and calling a plumber is going to be the best course of action at this point.
If you are dealing with a flood that is in progress, then the best way to minimize the resulting damage is to consider the following do's and don'ts for plumbing floods:
- Do shut the main water valve off if the flood is occurring as a result of a break in a pipe.
- Do shut off the electricity within the flooded area, but only if you can do this without touching any water.
- Do wear rubber work boots and gloves if the leak has been contaminated by sewage or if it is in a drain line.
- Do disinfect the area once it has been properly cleaned and allowed to dry fully.
- Do not wade through standing water if the water has come into contact with any electrical outlets or appliances, as the water may be charged electrically and capable of causing harm.
- Do not run a gas powered water pump within your home because it can create fumes.
Propane, Oil and Natural Gas - If you are dealing with propane and natural gas appliances in your home and are not sure where a gas smell is coming from, knowing how to distinguish is vital. Sniff around. Is the smell stronger below the level of your nose, or above the level of your nose? Natural gas is a lighter type of gas and so it tends to spread out well throughout the air. On the other hand, propane is a heavier gas and as a result it tends to settle down lower near the floor.
A faint gas odor is a likely signal that a pilot light has gone out on an appliance. Relighting your valve means turning the control valve to "off" and then to "pilot". Release gas for the pilot light by depressing the handle or the red button depending on the model of your appliance. Light it with a match, keeping the handle or the button depressed for a minute. Release it after at least 60 seconds and turn the control to "On".
Photo Credits: damian m
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