How Did You Deal With Unexpected Home Repairs?
When home emergencies strike, it’s crucial to have a game plan. We’ve gathered insights from a handyman and a licensed PA realtor, among others, to share their strategies for handling unexpected home repairs. From an immediate response to a water leak to acting swiftly and learning from emergencies, here are four real-life problem-solving approaches.
- Immediate Response to Water Leak
- Stay Calm and Prioritize Safety
- Apply Business Tactics to Home Repairs
- Act Swiftly and Learn from Emergencies
Immediate Response to Water Leak
I got a frantic call from a client at 2 a.m. Water was pouring into their living room through a light fixture. Here’s how I tackled it:
First, I rushed over with tarps, buckets, and my emergency toolkit. Safety was the priority, so I immediately shut off the electricity to the affected area. Then, I placed buckets to catch the water and used tarps to divert the flow away from electronics and furniture.
Next, I headed up to the attic with a flashlight to locate the source. I discovered that a section of flashing had come loose, allowing water to seep in. As a temporary fix, I applied roofing tar and a patch to stop the immediate leak.
Once the rain let up, I did a thorough inspection of the roof. It turns out, the flashing issue was just a symptom of more extensive damage that needed addressing. I explained the situation to the homeowner and provided a detailed quote for the necessary repairs.
John Cammidge
Handyman, Handyman – John
Stay Calm and Prioritize Safety
When a sudden repair issue pops up at home, the first thing I recommend you do is: stay calm and take a deep breath.
As someone who has worked in construction and seen almost everything, I can tell you the goal is prioritizing your safety and acting fast. In my experiences as someone working in the construction world, I start by figuring out just how bad the problem is and what’s causing it. First, make sure the people in your house are safe. Then, if needed, shut off your utilities like water, gas, or electricity to prevent any additional issues.
It is always smart to snap some photos and jot down a few notes about what’s going wrong. This information is a huge help when you’re dealing with insurance or explaining things to a repair professional. Next up, decide if this is something you need an expert for right away or if it’s a fix you can handle temporarily by yourself. To give you an example, if you’re dealing with a foundation crack or water coming in, you need to call a specialist right away to prevent things from getting worse. In the meantime, you could use tarps, buckets, or quick-sealants to control the damage.
Pro tip when dealing with foundations: hidden foundation problems can develop slowly over time, finally emerging when the damage is severe. Foundation Monitoring Systems like ORLY can arm you with real-time data and alert you the moment your foundation moves.
Having a list of trusted contractors and emergency contacts ready to go, plus a basic repair kit, means you can jump into action quicker. By keeping your cool, responding quickly, and knowing when to call in the pros, you’re setting yourself up to manage home repairs or emergencies well.
Chris Cates
General Manager, Olshan Foundation Repair
Apply Business Tactics to Home Repairs
Handling unexpected home repairs requires a calm and resourceful approach, similar to managing business challenges. Once, I faced a sudden plumbing issue that caused a significant leak in my kitchen.
My first step was to quickly shut off the main water supply to prevent further damage. Then, I assessed the situation and realized that calling a professional was necessary.
While waiting for the plumber, I used the time to clear the affected area and minimize potential water damage to my belongings. This experience reinforced the importance of having a reliable emergency contact list and a basic understanding of home systems.
It also highlighted the value of staying composed and proactive in unexpected situations, a problem-solving approach I often apply in my business to efficiently address and resolve challenges.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Act Swiftly and Learn from Emergencies
When a pipe burst in my basement late one night, I was initially at a loss. First, I quickly turned off the main water valve to stop the flooding. Then, I called a 24-hour plumber, but I knew it would take some time for them to arrive. To minimize damage, I used towels and buckets to manage the water and prevent it from spreading further. Once the plumber arrived and assessed the situation, I stayed involved, asking questions and learning about the repairs to prevent future issues. This experience taught me the importance of staying calm, acting swiftly, and being resourceful in unexpected situations.
Jordan DeGusipe
Licensed Pa Realtor, RE/MAX Professionals
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