7 common household emergencies and how to cope

When a home emergency hits, time is of the essence.

This is according to Brett Emmerson, founder and CEO of the Building Service Advisor (BSA), who says time is of the essence with some home emergencies, and the faster you respond to a household emergency, hopefully the less damage to your home, with less cost to subsequently repair this damage.

He says household emergencies don’t always keep working hours. Being prepared for what could happen, and knowing who to call for help can make all the difference in these situations, he says.

According to a survey conducted by NRMA, these are the most common household emergencies people are likely to face:

1. Power failure or tripping power

2. Blocked toilet, pipe or drain

3. Broken or burst geyser

4. Damaged roof, gutter or downpipe

5. Locked out of home

6. Broken door or window

7. Gas leak

8. Water leak

9. Leaking tap or showerhead

Emmerson gives some insight into what to do when faced with these household emergencies…

1. Power failure or tripping earth leakage

If you are experiencing problems because the electrical wiring in your home has become faulty, or if there is a problem with the supply coming into your home, then call a qualified electrician immediately and never attempt to work on or repair electrical problems yourself.

If a power failure is caused by something outside of your control, like extreme weather conditions or an ESKOM power cut, then there is little that you can do but light some candles and wait it out.

But if in any doubt call in a qualified electrician and keep in contact with your local power supplier to find out if others in your area are experiencing the same problem so that you can assess the next best step to take.

2. Blocked toilet, pipe or drain

If your kitchen or bathroom drains, or a toilet become blocked then the first thing you can do to rectify the situation is to pull the materials causing the blockage out. If this does not work then try using a drain plunger to force the blockage out. A third option is to pour a caustic soda mixture down the drain. However, work carefully with caustic soda and follow the instructions on the packaging.

A blocked toilet often needs to be flushed, with a large bucket of water poured straight into the bowl. If none of this yields results, then the best thing to do is call a plumber to do the job for you.

3. Broken or burst geyser

A geyser has a limited lifespan, and so the chances are that if yours is acting up, it might be time to get a new one. Even worse than a geyser playing up is one that burst unexpectedly and invariably pours water out into your ceiling and possibly the room below.

Obviously, if you need a new geyser, whether in an emergency situation or planned, then you need to call an experienced installer. While you are waiting for their arrival, turn the water supply off at the mains outside the house. If the geyser has burst and water is running into your home, try and minimise damage by placing down buckets and towels where possible to capture the overflow.

4. Damaged roof, gutter or downpipe

A damaged and leaking roof should be repaired by a professional. If you discover that you have a leak during a rain storm, then try to minimise any water damage by placing a bucket under the leak to catch the water.

Guttering systems can generally degrade and perish in our harsh African sun, and it is a good idea to get yours checked out before the rainy season arrives, particularly in the Western Cape where water harvesting has become so vital.

Before the rainy season arrives, homeowners can also check their gutters themselves to make sure they are not blocked with leaves and sand.

5. Getting locked out of home

One way to make sure you don’t get locked out is to keep a spare key in your handbag or in your car. Alternatively, give a spare key to your neighbour and or family member that you know and trust.

However, failing having a spare key at hand, the best thing to do is call a qualified locksmith to help you get back into your home with minimal damage to your property, such as breaking a window in an attempt to get indoors.

6. Broken glass in a door or window

If you have a broken door or window pane then you need to get it fixed ASAP unless you want to leave a gaping hole and welcoming invite to corrupt passers-by.

Calling a glass fitting professional to replace the broken glass as quickly as possible is the best way to go. You also don’t want to risk cutting yourself in the process.

7. Gas leak

More and more South Africans are using gas ovens and stoves. However, gas leaks can be dangerous. If you smell gas or suspect there is a gas leak, make sure you do the following:

– Don’t smoke or light any matches

– Don’t turn anything electrical on or off

– Open all the doors and windows to air out the room

– Turn off the gas supply at the bottle