Handling a Plumbing Emergency

There may have plumbing issues that arise causing you some inconvenience but a plumbing emergency usually means you have a flood somewhere in your house. The flooding will not stop until the problem is corrected do the first action you need to take is to locate the main shutoff valve and stop the situation from getting worse.

This is a good thing to know long before you have a real emergency. Hundreds of gallons of water flowing into your house can equate to thousands of dollars in damages so the more quickly you can get to the main valve the less costly it will be.

If you experience a gas leak it’s also considered a plumbing emergency. Gas is more dangerous than water because it can ignite and cause a serious, even fatal explosion. Your house has a shutoff valve for water and another if you use gas appliances or own a gas furnace. The location depends on the building codes for your particular neighborhood.

Normally you will find the main valve (street-side valve) for your natural gas supply immediately before your gas meter. It resembles a nub with a long handle on one side. If you see that the long handle is parallel to the gas line entering the house, you can be assured the gas is “on.” Doing a quarter turn to make it perpendicular to the gas line closes off the gas flow. You will need a wrench for the job; or better yet get direct access to a Maryland Plumber.

It is also a good idea to shut off all the shut off valve directly associated with your gas appliances. If you ever suspect a gas leak, evacuate your house as quickly as possible, shut off the street-side valve and call your gas department. If your gas supply comes from a propane tank on your premises, the shutoff valve will be on the tank.

A water leak is not as risky to your safety but the flooding can wreak havoc on the structure and interior furnishings of your home. It could potentially start a fire if it causes electrical shorts. In any case, get everyone safely out of the house – floods bring hazardous bacteria and mould spores into the environment that can make you very ill. Depending on the climate where you live, the shutoff valve for your water meter will either be just before or just after your water meter.

If you live in a cold climate where water lines can freeze the valve should be located inside the house, usually in the basement. You can recognize the valve by a round knurled handle. Turn the handle clockwise several times until it stops to shut off the water flow. Newer homes are typically built with local shutoff valves for individual appliances and fixtures. For example, if your toilet is running and overflowing, you can simply close the water valve behind the fixture near the floor. It won’t be necessary to shut off the main water line.

Make a point of searching for shutoff valves for all your appliances, including the washing machine, dishwasher and faucets. In any plumbing emergency, take care of the “triage” pronto, but then call your plumber to make the permanent repairs.

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