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If a leak in water pipes occurs at your home and has either burst, or is at the point of erupting, would you know how to turn off the water supply to avoid water damage? As a homeowner, you might be aware of the steps to take to turn off the water main supply, but a lot of us have no idea.
A burst water pipe can have some pretty damaging consequences that you can minimise if you act fast and have the right knowledge. Know what to do if you have a burst water pipe as it can lead to expensive damage to your floors, carpets, wood, and your furniture, so you need to shut off the water supply to your property as soon as possible. Use buckets or containers to collect the water, or towels and sheets to stop it reaching carpeted areas, but the most important thing to remember is to quickly turn off the main water supply to your house.
You’ll need a couple of things to perform this task effectively. Firstly, you need to know the location of the water main supply on your property, and a few tools to help you turn it off such as a screwdriver, spanner and heavy-duty gloves.
To locate the water shut off valve on your property depends on what type of dwelling you reside in, but most are usually found out the front of your home. If you live in a standard house, then the shut off valve should be easily located in the front yard of your property either in the grass, or in a garden bed.
If you live in an apartment complex usually the water shut off valve will be located underneath in the carpark area. Each apartment will be numbered so make sure to turn off your apartment and not your neighbour’s.
In a unit or duplex, look in the front yard or to the side of the unit. Usually, the units will be connected to the same line so shutting off the water will affect all residents. Make sure to let your neighbours know you’ll be shutting down their water for a period.
Most water shut off valves have either plastic or metal council plates covering them which can be lifted with the help of a strong screwdriver to pry it open. Once the cover is removed you will find the valve which will either be in the shape of a T, wheel shaped or a single ball valve. Turn this valve slowly clockwise to shut off the water. If you find it’s too hard to turn with your bare hands then use gloves, pliers and a shifter to help grip the valve and turn it.
Once you have turned the valve completely clockwise, turn on your front tap to expel any excess water from the pipes, stopping further water damage from occurring. You should then call an emergency Melbourne plumber who will fix the burst or leaking pipe and restore your home’s water supply.
Conclusion
A leak in your plumbing system can cause a lot of damage to your home, so it is imperative that you know how to shut down the water supply as fast as possible. If the problem is at the water main, contact your water supplier, as it is their responsibility to maintain it, but do your best to shut down the water yourself.
If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to call a Melbourne plumber who can guide you through the process of shutting down your water supply, safely and quickly.