Dealing With a Burst Pipe: Learning When to Close Your Water Supply

Dealing With a Burst Pipe: Learning When to Close Your Water Supply

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Every person seems to have their private opinion about Steps to Take When a Pipe Bursts.

You have to recognize how to shut off your main water line if you deal with a ruptured pipe. Don't wait for a plumbing emergency before finding out exactly how to get this done. Besides, other than emergency leakages, you will certainly need to shut off your primary water shutoff for plumbing repairs or if you leave for a long trip. Learn even more concerning it in this mini guide.

Why Must You Shut the Main Line Off?

Familiarizing yourself with how your mainline switches on as well as off can save you during an emergency. For instance, when a pipe all of a sudden bursts in your house, you'll be besieged with panic. Therefore, you can readily shut the shutoff off and also stop much more damage if you know what to do. In addition, closing this off ensures you don't have to deal with an abrupt flood in your home.
In addition to that, shutting and opening up the valves every so often ensures they do not get stuck. It is additionally the very best time for you to inspect for corrosion or other damaged connections. Additionally, make it a point to educate various other relative on what to do. This makes routine upkeep and handling emergencies so much less complicated. You can potentially save on your own hundreds of dollars in repairs.

Where is This Key Valve Found?

The major water line supply can vary, so you may require to locate time to determine where it is. Regrettably, when your residence is getting soaked due to a ruptured pipeline, you do not have the luxury of time during an emergency. Thus, you should prepare for this plumbing predicament by learning where the valve is located.
This shutoff valve could look like a ball shutoff (with a lever-type handle) or a gateway shutoff (with a circle faucet). Positioning depends upon the age of your house and the environment in your location. Inspect the complying with common places:

Inside of House: In colder climates, the city supply pipelines encounter your house. Examine typical utility locations like your basement, utility room, or garage. A most likely place is near the hot water heater. In the basement, this shutoff will be at your eye degree. On the other main floors, you may require to bend down to find it.

Outdoors on the Exterior Wall surface: The major valve is outside the home in exotic environments where they do not experience winter season. It is typically attached to an exterior wall. Look for it near an exterior faucet.

Outdoors by the Road: If you can not find the valve anywhere else, it is time to examine your road. It could be outside beside your water meter. Maybe below the accessibility panel near the ground on your road. You may require a meter trick that's offered in hardware stores to take off the panel cover. You can find two valves, one for city use and one for your residence. Make sure you shut off the ideal one. And you will know that you did when none of the faucets in your home release freshwater.

Must This Always Be Turn off?

Besides emergencies, repairs, or long vacations, you may not need to switch off the major valve. For example, so one component has issues, you can switch off the branch shutoff in that place. By doing this, you can still use water in various other parts of your home. For ideal results, call a reputable plumber for emergencies.

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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