Image by: Randall Enos
When pipes burst, fixtures leak, or appliances cause a
flood, stop the deluge by cutting off the water at its source. Take a moment to
locate all of the shutoff valves in your home so you'll be prepared for an
emergency.
Whole-house shutoff. For a home served by a well, the
shutoff will be on the house side of the pressure tank. You should also cut
power to the tank so it doesn't detect a phantom pressure loss and burn out
trying to compensate. In a home with metered water, look for the shutoff on
either side of the water meter. Remember, your meter could be located in the
basement, mounted on an exterior wall, or even out near the street in a
concrete "meter pit" where the household feed line meets the utility
main.
Whole-house hot-water shutoff. On your water heater
there should be a valve on the hot-water outlet, which controls all of the hot
water to the house. If there isn't one on yours, you or your plumber should
install one.
Toilet shutoff. Look for this inline shutoff —
typically a ribbed oval handle — under the toilet tank. Sink shutoffs. These
inline shutoffs usually sit just beneath the sink or within the cabinet or
vanity. The one on the left is usually for the hot water, the one on the right
for cold water.
Dishwasher shutoff. Look first under the kitchen sink. Often
there's a reducer coupling and shutoff valve leading to the dishwasher on the
1/2-inch hot-water sink-supply line. Not there? If you have a basement, look
between the ceiling joists just below the appliance.
Clothes washer. There should be valves where the
house-supply lines meet the washer hoses. Washer hoses are notoriously weak, so
always close the valves when leaving home for an extended period.
by John D. Wagner
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