If a pipe bursts or water starts leaking everywhere, you don’t want to stand there trying to figure things out. The sooner you shut the water off, the less cleanup you will have to deal with later.
It will not fix the problem, but it can stop the situation from getting worse. And that is exactly why you should know how to shut off your water in an emergency. This emergency plumber in Evanston, Illinois is going to explain exactly how you can do that below.
The first step in any plumbing emergency is finding the main shut-off valve.
Every home has a main shut-off valve. It is what controls the water coming into your house. You want to know where this is before you face a plumbing emergency. It will save you time when things look out of control.
Most shut-off valves are located inside the house. The first place you should check is your basement. Look along the front wall, especially on the side facing the street. If you don’t have a basement, check the crawlspace or a utility room. Some homes also have it outside near a wall or in the yard, so check those places if you can’t find the valve inside.
Once you find the valve, remember where it is. Even better, label it so others in the house know too. If you are not home in an urgent plumbing situation, they will be able shut off the water as soon as possible.
Know what type of valve you have.
There are usually two types of main shut-off valves. One has a circular handle (a gate valve). Rotate the handle clockwise until it cannot turn any further to turn off the water to the house. The other one has a lever handle (a ball valve). With this valve, you just turn the lever 90 degrees, so it sits perpendicular to the pipe. That will stop water from entering your house.
Some valves can be stiff if no one has used them in a while. Try work gloves for grip. If that is not enough, you can use a wrench. But if the valve is still stuck or you hear cracking, you should stop immediately. Forcing it can break the valve, which will only make things worse. It’s better to call an emergency plumber in Evanston, Illinois at that point.
Drain your pipes.
After you turn off the water, you should drain any remaining water in the pipes. Open a few faucets around the house and let the water run out. You don’t need to open every faucet. You only need to open enough to release pressure in the system. This will minimize the risk of additional pipe damage during a plumbing emergency.
Don’t forget to flush the toilets as well. Each one holds a full tank of water, even after you shut everything off. And that water will not drain on its own.
What if it is a localized problem?
Sometimes, the problem is not with your entire plumbing system but only with one sink or a toilet. You don’t always have to shut off the whole house in these cases.
Look near the fixture. Toilets usually have a small valve near the wall behind them, and sinks usually have one underneath. You will see a small silver or chrome handle. Just turn it to the right to stop the water to that one spot.
If the valve does not work, or if water keeps leaking, don’t force it — it’s best to leave it up to an emergency plumber in Evanston, Illinois instead.
Looking for an Emergency Plumber in Evanston, Illinois?
When water starts leaking in your home, knowing how to shut it off will be crucial. It will not solve the problem, but it will buy you time to deal with it properly.
After you’ve shut your water off, it’s time to call John J. Cahill Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. As the top-rated emergency plumber in Evanston, Illinois, our team is ready to help whenever you need us. Contact us anytime at 847-864-5225 for assistance.
