Kensington Electricians, Emergency Electrician Kensington

How do you know when you need emergency services?

Accidents and unexpected utility failures can happen at any time and having a clear plan will mean you can act calmly and effectively in an emergency situation. Electrical, plumbing, and gas emergencies all have the potential to cause lasting damage to your home and can pose a significant danger to life. Being prepared with what to do, and who to contact, is vital in order to minimize any damage. The first thing to do is to have the contact details of an emergency Kensington electrician in your area on standby.

London, Kensington electricians ready for any emergency

Your electricity system delivers power to all your lighting and appliances both inside and outside your home. If you experience problems beyond the simple changing of a lightbulb or resetting the trip switch, it’s vital that you contact a professional service. Whether you’re in leafy suburbia or buzzy Kensington, a reliable electrician must be your first port of call to ensure yours and your family’s safety.

What type of thing is considered an electrical emergency?

Electrical emergencies include four common categories:

  1. A wire that won’t trip

The circuit breaker mechanism automatically shuts itself off if something is wrong, be it the system overloading or a faulty appliance. If the circuit breaker mechanism itself is faulty, the wire won’t trip at all, so your home immediately becomes at risk of an electrical emergency. Key indicators that this has happened include hearing a buzzing or humming coming from your electrical box.

2. Outlet overload

Putting too much pressure on one wall socket can be very dangerous and lead to the socket overheating, and even beginning to burn, which will leave a black or brown mark around the socket. If you notice this happening call an emergency electrician immediately and follow their advice. Do not touch the outlet yourself, it will be extremely hot

3. Ongoing problems

If you find your food mixer keeps making that weird noise every time you use it, you’ve got a light that keeps flickering, or you notice any odd acrid smells, then it’s important to address the problem immediately. Leaving another day until you call upon emergency services means you’re on track for an equipment malfunction, which could put you and your family at risk, as well as causing further damage to your property.

4. Power cuts

Power cuts can be because of planned maintenance by your electricity company, and while these can be inconvenient, they do not constitute an emergency. Other reasons for a power outage, like problems with a transformer, storm damage, or anything that can be seen to be solely affecting your home would be classed as an electrical emergency. The first step is to contact your electricity supplier, to see if they have any answers as to the reason for the power cut. If they’re not aware of a problem, then it’s time to get in touch with the professionals to come and fix the problem. It’s important not to try to fix the problem yourself, to avoid the risk of electric shock.

What to do in an electrical emergency

  • Check your trip switch, which is found in your consumer unit. Try switching it back on. If it switches straight off, it’s a sign that one of your appliances is faulty. Unplug all appliances and reset the trip.
  • Check with your neighbors to see if they have any problems with supply
  • If you use a card meter, check you still have enough credit
  • If you notice sparking from overhead lines, or damaged substation fences, call the electrical services immediately

Emergency dos and don’ts

Do

  • Check your trip switch
  • Report any damaged power lines
  • Use a professional for all repairs and servicing
  • Unplug all appliances before inspecting them
  • Call Kensington Electricians on 07871647667

Do not

  • Leave it too late to call the professionals
  • Use candles unless you have no alternative
  • Open your fridge or freezer unless you have to
  • Allow children near any open flames

Plumbing emergencies

Plumbing emergencies are common. Some are straightforward and easy to fix, and you may consider handling them yourself. The downside of doing this is that you risk causing more damage, so nine times out of ten it’s worth calling the professionals.

Types of a plumbing emergency

Knowing what type of emergency you’re facing will help you take the best action to minimize damage to your home and remove the risk to life. If you’re in any doubt at all, contact your local plumbing emergency service. Here are some of the most common emergencies

1. Dripping taps

This is a common issue and may not seem like anything more than an annoyance, but if the valve gets broken or stuck, you could find yourself with a full-on leak. If this happens, turn off the supply at the stopcock and contact a professional plumber.

2. Leaky pipes

This is definitely a job for the professionals. Any attempt to DIY or fix by using chemicals down the drain is likely to cause more damage. Turn off the supply and contact a professional.

3. Very hot water

If the water from your shower or taps is suddenly scalding hot, it indicates a problem with your water heater. Turn the heater off and turn on all the hot water taps to drain the system, before calling an emergency plumber.

4. Frozen pipes

This is a common winter problem and its worth being vigilant in your checks during cold weather. It is possible to thaw a frozen pipe using a hairdryer but inspect your pipes for any cracks or splits first and contact your plumber if there is a problem.

5. Leaking water heater

A leaking water heater will damage your walls and floor. If you suspect a leaky heater, check the drip pan. If it’s full, then you’ve likely identified the problem. Turn off the cold water inlet immediately, then turn off the heater and the stopcock before contacting a professional plumber.

To turn off a gas water heater turn off the gas line which connects to a box at the bottom of the unit.

To turn off an electric heater shut it off at your circuit breaker.

It is possible to drain the water from the heater by attaching a hose to the valve and emptying into a drain.

If you’re not sure how to do any of these things, contact a professional straight away to avoid any further damage to you or your property.

6. Clogged drain

If everything is emptying very slowly, you might be tempted to head straight for the chemicals, and these can be useful as a short term option. If the problem keeps happening, it’s best to try using an up and down plunger and get in touch with a professional.

7. Toilets

If your toilet is clogged, you can try using a plunger to clear the blockage. If this doesn’t work, contact a plumber to avoid causing lasting damage. Problems with the cistern may be simple to fix, but it’s wise to shut off the water and to call a plumber if you’re in any way unsure.

What to do when you first spot a plumbing emergency

In any situation its always worth calling on the emergency services of a professional, but there are steps you can take to minimize the impact of a plumbing emergency on your home.

• Turn off the water supply

Knowing where your stopcock is, and how to turn it off is vital. shutting off the water supply will reduce the risk of lasting damage to your home and your possessions

  • Move any belongings if it is safe to do so. Water damage can be irreparable to things like fabric, paper or leather
  • Inspect the water heater

If there’s a major emergency the water heater should be switched off so it is not damaged in any way. You can do this after shutting off the mains water unless you have a gas heater, in which case the gas should be turned off first.

  • Act quickly on small leaks

Minor leaks can be easy to regulate. You can stuff the hole with rags or use some tape to stem the flow of water before the plumber arrives

  • Open up spigots and clear drain paths

It’s important to drain water from the pipes, so open any spigots so water will drain clear from your home. Do not use chemicals.

  • Listen to your plumber’s advice

Professionals are in the best place to help you in an emergency, and your plumber will be able to tell you exactly what to do to minimize damage from any plumbing emergency.

To find a certified plumber get in touch with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering who have details of certified plumbers in your area. Or call us Kensington electricians as we work with Gas safe Plumbers.

Gas emergencies

If you think you may have a gas leak or you smell gas the most important thing is to act fast.

  • Leave your home and call the Gas Emergencies number 0800 111 999 immediately. It’s free to call and available 24 hours a day.
  • If it is safe to do so, turn off the mains supply. The gas tap should be beside your gas meter. Turn the handle by a quarter turn, to 90 degrees. This should shut off the gas supply.

How do I know if I’ve got a gas leak?

The most obvious sign is the smell of gas. you may also notice some physical symptoms.

  • Light-headedness
  • Feeling nauseous
  • Giddiness
  • Headache

If you’re not sure whether you’ve got a leak, but notice any of these symptoms, go outdoors. If you feel better, it’s a strong indicator that there’s a leak in your home.

Gas leak dos and don’ts

Do:

  • Open windows and doors to maximize the flow of fresh air
  • Turn off the gas at the mains, but only if it is safe to do so
  • Leave your property to avoid damage to your health
  • Call the National Gas Emergency Number 0800 111 999. If you are using a mobile to do this, make sure you’re outside.
  • Listen carefully to the advice given by the experts on the emergency line
  • Wait outdoors until the gas emergency services arrive
  • If you feel unwell, contact your GP or hospital and explain your symptoms

Don’t

  • Light a match, smoke or use any other type of naked flame
  • Touch or switch off any electricals
  • Use a mobile, doorbell, or any other electrical that could cause a spark

The best way to avoid any gas related emergencies is to be sure to use a Corgi registered gas engineer for installation and servicing of appliances. You can find these on the Gas Safe register

How to avoid household emergencies

The best way to avoid needing household emergency services is by carrying out timely maintenance and following safety guidelines. Check that electrical sockets aren’t overloaded, avoid practices like running cables under rugs or carpets, or using a laptop on your bed. Know where your trip switch is and how to use it. For water-related emergencies, it’s vital to know where your stopcock is and how to switch it off, and to be familiar with the workings of any water heaters. Gas emergencies potentially pose the most immediate danger to life and acting fast is essential. It’s worth having a list of emergency numbers somewhere easy to find, and compiling a list of trusted, registered emergency service providers so you can act calmly and quickly when the need arises.

Prevention is always better than cure and being aware of the professional bodies for each trade. It will mean you can be sure you are engaging the services of a qualified, professional to provide emergency services. Whether you’re looking for Kensington electricians, Grimsby gas engineers or plumbers in Kensington, look up the registered body to be sure you’re using a safe, certified service provider. The key is not to panic, but to get in touch with trained professionals who will help and advise you about how to keep yourself and your home secure as well as being able to solve the problem in a timely and lasting manner.

Kensington electricians you can count on

If you are looking for an emergency electrician or plumber in and around London, Kensington, call us today on 0203 302 6361. Alternatively, you can also send us a message via our contact page.