4 Common Home Repair Emergencies and How to Prepare For Them

By Shelley Frost

August 23, 2024

Water gushing from a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, a gas leak — with so many potential emergency home repair scenarios, it can feel overwhelming preparing for them. Sure, it's often best to let a professional handle the actual repairs, but it's also helpful to be armed with an assortment of tools and strategies to calm the emergency first.

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Springing into action can cut down on the extent of the damage and make the situation a little less severe.

Prepare For These Emergency Home Repairs

Being aware of potential situations helps you prepare for an emergency home repair before it happens. Check out these common home emergencies.

1. Burst or Leaking Pipes

Your plumbing pipes can leak anywhere in your house, from under sinks to behind walls. In cold climates, burst pipes happen when the water inside the pipes freezes and expands. When it thaws, water pours out of the pipe and potentially causes water damage and flooding.

To prepare for this emergency, know where your home's main water shutoff valve is so you can cut the water supply quickly. It's also helpful to know where the water shutoffs are for individual plumbing fixtures. Keep epoxy putty on hand for a quick, temporary fix for small pipe leaks. The putty hardens and seals the hole until you can get a plumber to fix it permanently.

2. Overflowing Toilets

Plumbing issues are fairly common, and toilets are often the culprits. An overflowing toilet feels like a true emergency — watching the water rise quickly is a scary sight. Toilets often overflow when they're clogged. You can sometimes fix the issue yourself, but you may need a plumber if it's a recurring issue.

Keep a plunger near every toilet to prep for this plumbing emergency. Make sure it's a toilet plunger with a rubber flange inside to get a good seal. It's also helpful to locate the toilet's water shutoff valve to stop the water before the toilet overflows. Test the valve to make sure you know how it works and that it moves freely.

3. Carbon Monoxide Leaks

If you have natural gas running into your home, you could have carbon monoxide buildup. This happens when furnaces, fireplaces, dryers and other gas-powered appliances aren't vented properly or malfunction and allow the gas to enter the home. High levels of carbon monoxide in your home can cause serious health issues, including death.

The best way to prepare for carbon monoxide leaks is to have a working carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Detectors alert you to elevated levels so you can get out of the home quickly.

4. HVAC System Failure

You can't go long without your HVAC system during extreme weather. If your furnace stops working suddenly, your home could become dangerously cold, and your pipes could freeze. HVAC systems stop working due to power source issues and mechanical failure.

Most HVAC issues require a professional to diagnose and repair the problem. Know where your electrical panel is to make sure you're not dealing with a tripped breaker. It's also helpful to have the name and number of an HVAC company with emergency services.

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How Should Homeowners Financially Prepare for Home Emergencies?

An emergency home repair can come with a hefty price tag, depending on the type and extent of the emergency. Preparing financially makes it easier to complete the repairs quickly without going into debt. Start by reviewing your homeowner's insurance coverage to understand what types of emergencies would qualify for a claim. Make sure your coverage amounts are sufficient.

One option is to create a home emergency fund, which is essentially a savings account that's earmarked for emergency repairs. If you already have a general emergency fund, you can use those funds to cover emergency home repairs. However, having a separate account gives you greater financial security and leaves your general emergency fund for other unexpected expenses.

Home repair plans offer another financial tool to handle unexpected repairs. You can choose plans to cover specific systems in your home, such as plumbing, electrical and heating and cooling, or you can buy a combination plan to cover multiple systems. The plan pays for covered repairs up to the designated benefit amount, which can save you a significant amount of money.

How Much Should You Have in a Home Emergency Fund?

Realtor.com says the general guideline is to set aside 1% to 3% of your home's value in an emergency fund. For a home that's worth $200,000 (CAD 275,719), that means your emergency fund should be between $2,000 and $6,000 (CAD 2,757 and CAD 8,272).

Adjust your emergency home repair fund to fit your specific situation. For example, if you have an older home that has outdated mechanicals, you may need a larger emergency fund. For a brand-new or completely renovated home, you're likely safe with a smaller amount, since you have a lower risk of major issues happening.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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