Every home and apartment should have a plumbing emergency kit on hand. Though every homeowner and apartment dweller does not need to know how to fix every plumbing problem, they still should have a working knowledge of what to do during both minor and major plumbing emergencies. A minor emergency that is easy to fix is a clogged toilet. A burst pipe is a major plumbing emergency and may require the aid of a professional plumber. However, for the plumbing problems that can be fixed by you, it’s best to be prepared. One of the most important things to know is where your shutoff valve is located as well as keeping a fully-stocked emergency plumbing kit.

Five-Gallon Bucket

A five-gallon bucket really comes in handy for dripping pipes and cleaning up bigger water messes. I have seen drains connected to garbage disposals work their way loose from the vibration of the disposal motor, spilling the contents of the drain underneath the sink. A bucket and a few old bath towels make for a quick cleanup of sopping wet messes.

Plunger

Every home should have more than one plunger. Every toilet should have one. I also suggest separate ones for sinks just because of the gross out factor. The few dollars one costs makes up for not having to use a toilet plunger on the kitchen sink.

Toolbox and Tools

A toolbox with a few wrenches is a good idea. Even a couple of adjustable (crescent) wrenches is better than nothing. Water shutoff valves at outdoor spigots, clothes washers and pipe junctions can begin to leak when the nut at the valve stem gets loose. A little tightening fixes the problem.

A Set of Allen Keys

Allen keys come in handy for removing handles on faucets. They either have a Phillips head or Allen screws holding them on. Having the right tool to remove a handle to replace a valve cartridge or washer is handy. Plus, handles often work loose over time.

Duct Tape/Strong Adhesive

Duct tape is a great aid in temporarily sealing up leaks in drain lines under sinks that begin to leak. I have used duct tape to stop a leak at connection joints, and it has never leaked again. Sure, it should be repaired correctly, but that gray tape can really do a good job in making a simple plumbing fix.

Flashlight

A bright flashlight that can be used hands free is an absolute necessity. It is dark in most places where pipes and drains are located. A headlamp style light will point the light right where I am looking. I like them best because the light goes where my eyes are looking. Be sure to keep fresh batteries in any flashlight.

Putty and Tape

Plumbers putty and Teflon tape are things I always keep on hand. They are used when replacing a faucet. The putty is used to act as a seal between the faucet and sink. The Teflon tape is used on metal-to-metal thread connections of water lines to the faucet. A couple of wraps around the brass threads of faucets helps to prevent leaks.

Washer and Cartridge

Washers or a replacement cartridge for faucets in the house are easy to replace and can save a homeowner or renter from needing a service call from a plumber. Search the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to replace a washer or cartridge, and oftentimes, you can do it yourself.

Gloves

Keep a box of disposable nitrile gloves in your emergency plumbing kit. Dealing with the contents of plugged up toilets and drain lines is messy. Nitrile does not degrade like latex does, and they can take more abuse than latex can. Plus, they can be used for other messy jobs around the house.

For minor plumbing problems such as a clogged drain or small leak, it will save you time and money to try and fix the problem yourself before calling a professional plumber. However, if you feel as though you can’t handle the issue yourself, always consult a professional to prevent further damage to your plumbing system and never try to perform potentially dangerous repairs yourself.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Minneapolis has an expert team of plumbers in Eden Prairie, MN who specialize in plumbing repair services on residential homes and commercial businesses.