Handling a Burst Pipe: Learning How to Shut Off Your Main Water Line

Handling a Burst Pipe: Learning How to Shut Off Your Main Water Line

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You have to know how to turn off your major water line if you deal with a ruptured pipeline. Do not wait on a plumbing emergency prior to learning just how to get this done. Besides, other than emergency leakages, you will certainly require to switch off your primary water valve for plumbing repair work or if you leave for a long trip. Find out more concerning it in this miniature guide.

Why Must You Shut the Main Line Off?

Familiarizing yourself with how your mainline turns on and off can conserve you throughout an emergency. For example, when a pipeline all of a sudden bursts in your residence, you'll be besieged with panic. Therefore, you can conveniently shut the valve off and also stop a lot more damages if you know what to do. In addition, shutting this off ensures you don't need to handle an abrupt flood in your house.
In addition to that, closing and opening up the valves every so often guarantees they do not obtain stuck. It is also the most effective time for you to check for rust or other broken connections. Moreover, make it a point to inform various other member of the family on what to do. This makes regular maintenance and managing emergency situations so much easier. You can potentially save on your own hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Where is This Key Shutoff Located?

The main water line supply can differ, so you might need to locate time to find out where it is. Sadly, when your house is obtaining soaked because of a ruptured pipe, you do not have the deluxe of time during an emergency. Hence, you should prepare for this plumbing dilemma by learning where the shutoff lies.
This shutoff valve could appear like a round valve (with a lever-type manage) or a gate shutoff (with a circle faucet). Placement depends on the age of your house and also the climate in your location. Inspect the adhering to typical areas:

Inside of Residence: In colder climates, the city supply pipes face your residence. Check common utility locations like your cellar, laundry room, or garage. A likely area is near the hot water heater. In the cellar, this shutoff will certainly be at your eye degree. On the various other major floorings, you may need to bend down to discover it.

Outdoors on the Exterior Wall: The main shutoff is outside the home in exotic environments where they do not experience wintertime. It is commonly attached to an outside wall surface. Check for it near an exterior faucet.

Outdoors by the Road: If you can not find the valve anywhere else, it is time to check your street. It could be outdoors next to your water meter. Maybe below the accessibility panel near the ground on your street. You may need a meter trick that's sold in hardware shops to take off the panel cover. You can locate two valves, one for city use as well as one for your residence. See to it you shut off the ideal one. And you will certainly recognize that you did when none of the faucets in your home release freshwater.

Must This Constantly Be Shut Off?

Other than emergency situations, repair work, or long getaways, you may not need to shut off the primary valve. For example, so one component has problems, you can turn off the branch shutoff in that spot. By doing this, you can still make use of water in other parts of your home. For finest results, call a reliable plumber for emergency situations.

Pipe Burst? Here's What to Do Next

There's nothing worse than that sinking feeling that sets in when you notice water dripping from your ceiling or — worse — gushing from a broken pipe. Many homeowners find themselves panicking as they start to tally up the water damage repair costs. Fortunately, a bit of forward planning can help you avert a total plumbing disaster.

What Happens When a Pipe Bursts?

There are several reasons that your pipes could burst, though one of the leading culprits is ice. When the temperature outside dips below freezing, the water in your pipes can freeze, too. When water freezes, it expands, putting significant pressure on your pipework.

When your pipes freeze for the first time, they may withstand the added pressure without any adverse effects. However, allowing your pipes to freeze repeatedly will gradually weaken them as they expand and contract, eventually causing them to burst or crack.

Corrosion

High water pressure

Blockages

Invading tree roots

How Do You Know If Your Pipes Have Burst?

When you mention broken pipes, most people imagine water gushing dramatically from the wall or ceiling. However, the first signs are often subtler. It's a good idea to look out for the less obvious symptoms of a major leak.

When a water pipe bursts, moisture starts seeping into your floors, ceilings and insulation, causing significant damage. Eventually, mold and mildew start to flourish, creating a potentially hazardous living environment. If you find yourself wading through puddles of water on the floor or can hear water bubbling inside the walls, you won't be left in any doubt as to whether you have a burst pipe.

Unexplained Hike in Water Bills

If your water bill suddenly shoots up for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of a burst water main. As water seeps out of the pipe, it sends your water usage sky high. Any unexpected increase in your water bills warrants further investigation.

Reduced Water Pressure

A broken water main or burst pipe means your system must work harder to maintain a supply to your faucets and other fixtures. Therefore, reduced or uneven water pressure could be a sign that you've got a leak. While there are a few potential causes of dodgy water pressure, it's important to find the reason quickly to prevent water damage.

No Flow

Reduced water pressure is inconvenient enough, but you may suddenly find that you have no water flow at all. One of the most likely reasons for a complete lack of running water is a frozen pipe. You should defrost your pipes as quickly as possible to stop them from bursting.

If you can access the frozen pipe, you could try defrosting it yourself. Turn on the central heating to around 70 degrees and use a gentle heat source like a hairdryer or infrared lamp to warm the pipe up gradually — never use a blowtorch or other open flame. If the pipe is inaccessible or your efforts aren’t fruitful, call a plumber to defrost the pipes for you.

Damp Patches in Your Home or Yard

As water flows out of a burst pipe, you may notice damp or discolored patches on your walls, floors or ceilings. If the leak happens under a tiled floor, it could make the tiles feel wobbly or unstable.

Don't forget to look for exterior signs of a burst pipe. Depending on the location, you may also see puddles, depressions or wobbly pavement in your yard.

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