What’s the first thing you do when something goes wrong with your plumbing?
If you ask our emergency plumber in Eltham, the first thing you should do before calling for professional help is to shut off your water supply.
You might think it’s your last priority, especially in an emergency, but take it from us: performing an emergency water shut off can save you and your plumber a lot of time and potentially reduce the damage that comes with plumbing problems!
How shutting off your water prevents water damage (and saves you money!)
Think of a water shutoff valve acting as an “off switch” for the plumbing fixtures in your home. They cut water supply to one specific appliance, or to the entire home.
And when something’s wrong with your plumbing, cutting the water supply is the first thing you should do.
Sure, not all plumbing problems need you to cut water flow… but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you don’t, your emergency plumber will likely do it anyway, so you may as well save a bit of time by doing it first!
If a water pipe springs a leak – or worse, bursts entirely – you could be left with a flooded house.
And a flooded, damp house is almost a guarantee of water damage and mould growth.
Not only does cutting off your water prevent further damage, but it can also help you avoid a hefty repair bill too.
Once the panic and confusion wears off, you’ll want to find your water valves and shut off supply before things get worse!
How do you cut water supply to a specific fixture?
Depending on the problem, you might have to shut off your water at the source or at the main supply valve. Which one? Well, that depends on the nature of your problem!
Many particularly water-intensive fixtures have their own shutoff valves, allowing you to shut off water flow without interrupting a family member’s evening shower.
If you’re confident the issue lies solely with one of these fittings, then you can usually find the shutoff valve nearby:
- Washing machines: typically directly behind your washer
- Dishwashers: may be next to or shared with your kitchen sink
- Toilets: in most toilets, the shutoff valve is located behind or underneath the cistern
- Taps and sinks: check the cabinet underneath
Most of these fixtures will feature a dedicated cutoff valve, allowing you to protect yourself from water damage without interrupting your home’s entire supply.
Help your Eltham plumber out: shut water off at the source!
Sometimes, the problem won’t be with one of these fixtures. The problem may be with one of your water supply pipes, or for a fixture that doesn’t have an apparent “off switch”.
In these cases, it’s advisable to cut your water supply at the source.
The main supply valve cuts off water to your entire home. Ideally, you’ll remember where this is from your first inspection.
Sometimes, the main shutoff is inside your home:
- Basements
- Crawlspace
- Near the hot water system
- In your home’s slab
- Utility cabinets
In most water meters in Australia however, the main shutoff is located outdoors with your water meter.
The water meter sits low, so if you haven’t mowed the lawn for a while, it could be obscured by grass and foliage. In some homes, they’ll be hidden underneath a plastic manhole which you’ll have to locate first.
If you can’t find yours, it’s usually located near your fence line, close to your front garden tap.
Once you find your water meter, you can cut off your water by turning the tap, knob or lever until your water supply stops.
The next step? Call an emergency plumber in Eltham!
Cutting your water supply isn’t going to fix the problem. If you want permanent fixes to your plumbing issues, you’ll need a professional plumber.
And that’s where we come in.
H2-Pro’s team of plumbers in Eltham offer 24/7 emergency plumbing service for all sorts of plumbing emergencies. With 18 years’ experience, homeowners all over Melbourne’s north-west trust us to manage, control, and solve their plumbing problems.
If you’ve been forced to shut off your own water supply, give us a call anytime. We’ll have the problem fixed and water flowing in no time.
Call now on (03) 9844 1444, or to book a non-emergency inspection, get in touch with us here.
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