RICHMOND, Va. – Thousands of Richmond residents lost their water service during this week's water crisis. If you are one of those affected, there are a few things you should do once water supply is restored.
Illya Davis, a plumbing expert, advises against turning on the taps, washing machine or shower immediately.
“Don’t use anything in the house,” said Davis, the owner of Anytime Plumbing in Richmond, Virginia.
Instead, the first step is to go outside to the hose connector – where the water hose is connected – and open it. This allows any sediment that may have entered the system during the outage to escape into the open air.
After the water is restored, Davis recommends disconnecting the hose and letting the water run out of the hose nozzle for about five minutes.
“That's the lowest point, and that's the cold water you want to use to rinse out all that brown stuff before you come in and turn on the faucet,” he said.
He also advises against flushing the toilet at this time, as this could lead to further clogs.
When will the water return to Richmond?
When will the water return to Richmond?
Davis remembers a similar situation a decade ago, when many called for help because of clogged aerators, toilet valves and washing machines.
He said following these steps could save homeowners “hundreds, if not thousands” of dollars.
The same guidelines apply to those who live in apartments or townhouses.
Property owners should ensure that outdoor hose faucets are flushed before residents turn on indoor faucets.
During these times, fire departments may also flush hydrants.
“You try to flush out as much as you can,” Davis explains. Residents should be prepared to initially see brown deposits when they finally turn on their faucets.
To avoid the need for a plumber, Davis recommends regular maintenance. He recommends using products like Liquid Plumber or Drano proactively.
“Buy a large bottle and treat any working drain except your toilet drain,” he said. This preventative maintenance can significantly reduce the likelihood of clogs in sinks and other drains.
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