A water leak in your home can be frustrating and destructive. That’s why it’s so important to know how to quickly turn the water off in your home so that you can stop the leak before it gets out of hand. Here are a few tips to help you effectively isolate the leak and determine which valves need to be closed.
Determine the Leak’s Location
The location of the water leak will determine which valve you need to use to stop the leak. For example, if you discover a leak under a bathroom sink, the leak could be coming from one of the supply lines, a faulty drain, or from somewhere behind the wall. If you can access the approximate location of the leak and it isn’t too serious, you can dry any damp pipes and floors so that you can watch to figure out where the water’s coming from so that you can proceed with repairs.
Fixture Shut-Off Valves
Many plumbing fix tures in your home, including sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washers, have localized shut-off valves that allow you to stop the flow of water to those individual fixtures. If you find that the aforementioned leak under your bathroom sink is due to a leaking supply line, you can use the localized shut-off valve for that supply line so that you can fix or replace the line to stop the leak.
Main Shut-Off Valve
Not all plumbing fixtures in your home have a localized shut-off valve. When you need to repair one of these fixtures, or when you have a major leak from a large water supply line, it’s time to use your home’s main water shut-off valve. These are commonly stainless steel valves located in a utility closet or basement. The main shut-off valve will stop the flow of water to every fixture, meaning you won’t be able to use the plumbing fixtures in your home while this valve is turned off. It’s a good idea to have this valve inspected by a plumber every few years to ensure it will do its job if there’s a plumbing emergency.
Call the Water Company
If even the main shut-off valve doesn’t stop your leak, you’ll need to call your local water company to have them turn off the water where your main water supply line connects to the city water supply. This approach is often necessary for leaks found in the main supply line at a point before the line enters your home. Just keep in mind that you may be without water for a while when using this approach since you’ll need to wait for someone from the water company to turn the water back on after you complete the necessary repairs.
When dealing with a leak, it’s important to act fast to avoid major damage. Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water and cause significant long-term damage if you don’t address them quickly. Fortunately, armed with the above knowledge, you’ll be able to take on any leak quickly and effectively.
