How to turn off a home’s water supply when there’s a leak
You’re enjoying a peaceful sunny day when all of a sudden you hear suspicious noises coming from the basement. You go downstairs to find the source of the strange sounds, and to your horror, you discover a major water leak. In no time at all, you’re back, armed with towels to sponge up the water accumulating on the floor in a sea that keeps growing right before your eyes. Our first tip: drop the towels and go turn off your home’s main water supply valve. If you’re wondering what the main water supply valve is and where it’s located, this article is for you!
The main water supply valve
Les causes of water leaks are numerous and varied. First, think about all the household appliances that use water, such as the dishwasher, washing machine and hot water heater. Did the pipes burst underneath the kitchen sink or did the washing machine hose finally succumb to the water pressure? Your first reaction should be to cut off the home’s water supply. How? By simply closing the main water supply valve. But where is it located? There are two possibilities. If the municipal network provides your home’s water supply, the valve will be located on the front wall of the basement. On the other hand, if your home’s water comes from a natural source like a well, the valve will be located near the system that provides the water supply. To prevent any possible damage resulting from water leaks, it’s important to inform the home’s occupants, including children, of the location of the main water supply valve. But did you know that each piece of equipment has its own shutoff valve?
How to cut off the water supply to your fixtures
Did your spouse ask you to swap out the old kitchen faucet for a more up-to-date model? Before doing anything, make sure that you fully close the valves that supply water to the faucet so you don’t end up with water all over the kitchen floor. Located underneath the sink, these valves are attached to the hot and cold water supply lines. The same procedure is recommended for the water heater, the dishwasher and the washing machine.
Regularly checking the condition of the pipes and hoses is another good way to ensure that everything is working correctly so you avoid any unpleasant surprises down the road.
Strategic tools to prevent leaks
Are you going to be away from home for some time? You can rest easy thanks to water leak detectors. These compact, easy-to-use little devices, which may plug in or run on batteries, depending on the model, will alert you in the event of a leak. And using them couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is install them near any at-risk equipment or appliances, and they’ll let you know if they detect any accumulation of water. Are you a techie who loves home automation? You’ll be happy to know that there are WiFi leak detectors available on the market. They can link directly to your smartphone so you can access and control them remotely.
Water leaks also mean repairs
Once you’ve stopped the leak and cleaned up the mess, it’s time to start thinking about repairs. If you’ve reached this point and you’re wondering what to do next, don’t make things worse by trying to repair the damaged pipe or hose yourself; instead, call a plumber. By entrusting the repairs to a expert en plomberie, you can rest assured that the work will be done correctly.
Did a pipe burst in the middle of the night? At Plomberie Roger Chayer, our team offers 24/7 service to ensure your peace of mind. Whether you need advice, an installation or repairs, contact us and it would be our pleasure to come meet with you.
