Help! Plumbing! Where Do I Turn Off The Water?

Most plumbing emergencies do not keep a schedule. Burst pipes, blocked drains, backed up toilets, you never know when disaster is going to strike. Even a simple clog can turn into a nightmare if you don't know anything about plumbing. The problem with the pipes in your home is that they're largely unseen, much like your electrical wiring. You usually won't notice problems until it's too late, until you’re standing under a foot of water like the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike. While the intricacies of your water system might seem intimidating, a little basic knowledge can help anyone prevent an emergency from turning into a catastrophe. There are two basic water systems at work your home: The Inlet System rnThe inlet system delivers water to your home under pressure so that it can be used in all areas of the home. As the water enters your home, it passes through a meter which records the water usage. This is the most important thing to know the location of because it's where you will find the main shut off valve in an emergency. If you suddenly spring a leak, have a burst pipe, or wake up under water, the first thing you should do is switch off the main water system at the shut off valve. You should also notice that most bathroom and kitchen fittings have smaller versions of the main shut off valve. Check behind your toilets and under sink basins to find the valve that will shut off the supply of water to a specific fixture. rnOutlet System rnThe outlet system takes the waste water away from your home, and it’s decidedly more odorous and messy when it goes wrong. The most common emergencies in this system are caused blocked drains and clogged pipes. One of the primary causes of a blocked drain is a buildup of household waste over time, so you have to be careful about what you dispose of down your drains. Big drain blocking items are left over foodstuff, including grease, paper and paint. Even turpentine can do damage to your pipes and drains. If you’re handy with a plumber's wrench you can perform simple maintenance and minor repairs yourself. Sometimes all a clogged drain needs is a dose of boiling water and drain cleaner. If problems keep occurring or something goes disastrously (or explosively) wrong, then you’ll need to call in a professional plumber to do the job. Choose a plumber that is certified under the laws of your city and make sure they can provide references. You don’t want to do the job more than once. Also, it might be wise to have the number of a 24/7 plumber handy, because drains, pipes and other plumbing systems seem to wait until it’s after-hours to do the most damage!