Where To Find Fresh Water Sources During Plumbing Emergencies
Preparing for a lack of fresh water is something that all families should do. Not only can a plumbing leak or frozen pipes cut off your Phoenix fresh water supply, other disasters and emergency scenarios can leave your household with no water for a very long time. Having a good supply of fresh, clean water for your family to drink in such cases will meet their most basic of needs.
Storing water for the long term is easy. Using only the cold water tap, you can store water in any bottle that has an airtight lid. Gallon milk jugs, 2-liter soda bottles, and juice bottles work well. Store them in an area where they are protected from heat and sun. Also, make sure they are in a location that doesn't freeze or they may crack open as the water turns to ice and expands.
Hopefully, the plumbing repairs will take place fairly quickly and your water supply won't be off for long. But if the plumping issue continues to leave you without any fresh water, there are some other water sources available in your very own home.
Other Fresh Water Sources For Plumbing Emergencies
There are other water sources around your house, though you really wouldn't want to drink it without some type of filtering or purification.
There are many gallons of fresh water in your hot water heater tank. The water can be routed from the tank by attaching a garden hose to the flush out faucet located at the front and bottom part of the tank. You'll probably want to filter this water because of the sediments that build up inside the tank. It not only tastes bad, it can cause health problems if you drink enough of it.
Take a sample of water in a glass and let it sit for an hour. The sediments will fall to the bottom so you can see how much there is in this water supply. You will have to judge whether or not it is safe to drink straight or if filtering is necessary. This is just for emergencies when you have no other choice.
Another place that you can obtain water in emergencies is your commode's storage tank (Not the toilet bowl, the tank in the back!). Truly, nobody would want to do this unless they had too because the idea is just gross. But, this water is fresh enough to use when filtered and purified by boiling or by using chlorine.
Purifying & Filtering Water
If the plumbing goes out and you need to use the water from the water heater or toilet tank, bleach can be used to purify it. Chlorine bleach manufacturers state on the bottle that you can use bleach to purify water. Be sure that you don't use a bleach that contains additives like perfumes and dyes.
The best method will be to first filter the water and them treat it with chlorine bleach. To purify 1 quart of water, add 2 drops of bleach. If the water is cloudy, add 3 drops. For 2 galls of water, add 12 drops or 1/8 teaspoon. For cloudy water, use 24 drops or 1/4 teaspoon.
Let the water stand for 30 minutes after purifying it. If it doesn't slightly smell like bleach, repeat the treatment and then wait 15 more minutes.
Another option is boiling the water. Be prepared to do either, though, because your power may go out as well as your plumbing.
Know Your Local Plumber - Do They Offer 24/7 Emergency Repairs?
Being prepared for a plumbing emergency with the name of a local reputable plumber will make plumbing emergencies easier. Many Phoenix plumbers like ours at Now Plumbing will get to you quickly when you have a plumbing emergency. However, keep in mind that in some case, the water supply could be off for a while, especially if the problem is located along the main water line that the municipality is responsible for repairing.