· 3 min read
Test your sump pump before the storm, not during it
A sump pump sits idle for months and is expected to work perfectly on the worst night of the year. A five-minute test, twice a year, tells you whether it will.
Emergencies
Burst pipes, flooded basements and leaks you cannot see. What to do in the first minutes, and the small jobs that stop most emergencies from ever happening.
Most plumbing emergencies in Bergen County are one of three things: a pipe that froze, a hose or a fitting that gave out under pressure, or a basement that took on water in a storm. Every one of them is easier to survive if you have done a little preparation, and two of the three can be prevented outright.
In the moment
- Close the main shut-off valve, or the valve at the fixture if you can reach it.
- Keep clear of water near anything electrical.
- For a gas smell, leave and call PSE&G or 911 from outside.
- Photograph everything for the insurance claim.
- Then find a plumber, and a restoration company for a wet basement.
Before the moment
The tips below cover the sump pump test that takes five minutes, the washing machine hoses that cause a startling share of household floods, and the water meter test that finds a leak before it finds you.
What this topic covers
- Shutting off the water to the house, or to one fixture
- Frozen and burst pipes
- Basement water, and sump pumps that fail in a storm
Common questions
The basement is flooding. Is it safe to go down there?
Not if the water is anywhere near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel. If you can reach the panel safely and it is dry, switch off the power to the basement first. If not, keep out and call an electrician or the utility.
Who do I call for a burst pipe at night?
Close the main shut-off valve first, which stops the emergency. Then use our Find a plumber page to search near your town. Many plumbers offer emergency service, at an emergency rate, so for a leak you have stopped it is often worth waiting until morning.
Tips on this topic
· 3 min read
Replace your washing machine hoses before one of them bursts
A burst washing machine hose pours out water at full mains pressure, and it is one of the most common causes of home water damage. Ten minutes and two new hoses remove the risk.
· 3 min read
Is something leaking? The ten-minute water meter test
A water bill that has crept up, a damp smell, or a pump that runs at night can all mean a hidden leak. Your water meter can tell you for certain, and often where to look.
· 3 min read
When the power goes out: what happens to your plumbing
A storm outage in Bergen County can flood a basement, stop the well, and leave a house without heat. Here is what stops working, what does not, and how to prepare.
Need a professional?
When it is more than a quick fix, search for plumbers near your town and verify the New Jersey license in a minute.