Plumbing Emergency Procedures
In a plumbing emergency, you'll need to stop the flow of
water quickly. To do this, you and each member of your
family needs to know the location of the shutoff valve for
every fixture and appliance, as well as the main shutoff
valve for the house, and how they operate.
(1,) If the emergency involves a specific fixture or
appliance, first look for its shutoff valve and turn it
clockwise to shut off the water to that fixture or appliance
only.
(2.) The valve is usually located underneath a fixture
such as a sink or a toilet, or behind an appliance, such as
a clothes washer, at the point where the water supply pipe
(or pipes) connects to it.
(3.) If the problem is not with a particular fixture or
appliance, or if there's no shutoff valve for the fixture or
appliance, use the main shutoff valve to turn off the water
supply to the entire house. Usually found outside on
the side of the house.
(4.) You'll find the main shutoff valve on the inside
or outside of your house where the main water supply pipe
enters.
(5.) In mobile homes, look just inside the skirting
wall in the crawl space underneath.
(6.) Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off.
(7.) Professional Tip If you need a wrench to turn the
valve, keep one, specially labeled near the valve so it's
handy.
(8.) If the main shutoff valve itself is defective and
needs to be repaired, call your water company; they can send
someone out with the special tool that's required to shut
off the water at the street before it reaches the valve.
A Leaking or Broken Pipe
(1.) Turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent water
damage.
(2.) Make temporary repairs to stop the leak.
(3.) The pipe will have to be replaced as soon as it's
convenient to do so.
A Steaming Hot Water Faucet
(1.) Open all the hot water faucets to relieve the
overheated hot water heater.
(2.) Turn off the gas or electric supply to the heater.
(3.) Let the faucets run until cold water flows from
them (this indicates the water in the heater is no longer
overheated).
(4.) Turn off the faucets.
(5.) Call in a professional to make any necessary
repairs to the heater's thermostat and pressure relief
valve.
A Faucet That Won't Shut Off
(1.) Immediately turn off the water at the fixture
shutoff valve underneath the sink.
(2.) If there's no valve there, turn off the main
shutoff valve.
(3.) Repair the faucet or, if necessary, replace it.
A Stopped-Up Sink
(1.) Shut off any faucet or appliance (such as
dishwasher) that's draining into the sink.
(2.) Unclog the sink using a plunger or snake.
(3.) DON'T use a chemical drain cleaner if the blockage
is total.
