Reasons to Turn Off Your Home's Main Water Supply
There can be several reasons why we need to turn off the water supply to a home, and we’ll discuss them as we proceed.
31/05/2020
Water is considered an essential resource and a lifeline of any household. This is why great care should be taken not to wastewater. Also, water is a versatile liquid - it can dissolve various substances and also interacts with different materials. Water leaks are not only a burden to the pocket, but they can also cause significant structural damage to our homes if left unchecked. Thus, every homeowner needs to know the location of the main water valve and how to close it. There can be several reasons why we need to turn off your home’s water supply, and we’ll discuss them as we proceed.
Going on an Extended Vacation
If you are going on a long vacation, it’s not just the electrical supply that you have to ensure that is turned off, you have to consider your main water supply as well. One common mistake that several homeowners make is leaving the main water supply turned while they are away for a long time, only to return to a flooded home. This can be costly damage, but it is nonetheless preventable if you only ensure to turn off your main water valve. Worst case scenario considered, what if you forgot to turn off your main water line and found your home inundated by the time you get back? Even in situations like this, there can still be effective solutions. Your best course of action is to hire a water restoration company to undo the damage done to your flooded home. Removing standing water and moisture from your home can be a painstaking process, but water damage restoration professionals have the right equipment to do the job efficiently. Choose a reputable and trusted company to do this job so that you can sit back and relax while waiting for your home to be dried, repaired, sanitized, and deodorized.
In Case of Plumbing Emergencies
We broadly categorized the reason as plumbing emergencies to include all possible reasons related to problems in the water lines and sewage system. The most common plumbing problems in households are burst pipes, leaking lines and backed up sewer drains. Even flooding caused by heavy rains or intense storms can prompt us to turn off our main water supply, especially if the lines are submerged in floodwater. This is to prevent the contamination of our water source, which can cause diseases. Even if we don’t see any visible leaks before the flooding, it is still a good safety measure to close the main water connection just to be sure.
When Doing Water Line Replacements
Our water mains are mostly placed underground and our private water lines are connected to the mains. Exposure to water and frost underground can cause wear and tear to our private water lines over time. Cracks and holes may develop, and it may take a while for us to discover the damage until we see obvious signs on the ground, such as unexplained moisture or flooding. By the time we discover the damage, it is already beyond fixing and will need a replacement. Water pressure from an active water line can be a hindrance to the line replacement task, so it is necessary to turn off the water supply first before detaching the damaged line and installing the new one. Once the installation has been completed, you can turn the supply back on to check if the line has been properly fitted and no leaks are found.
Being able to locate your main water supply valve and to turn it off when necessary is an essential practice that homeowners most know. Water can be a lifesaver and a cause of disaster if not managed properly. Thus, as a responsible homeowner, you should need to check your water line network regularly. With this practice, you are not just avoiding water wastage, you are also keeping yourself and your home safe.