Water is a major facet of daily life, from brushing teeth to washing clothes and preparing food. Because the pipes in the house are always pressurized with water, the potential for major water damage is great. Every member of the house should know basic water emergency response and preventative measures.
Watching for Problems
The best way to prevent major plumbing repairs in Atlanta home is to watch for signs of water problems. Little leaks can lead to major problems if they go untreated. For example, water that is around the base of a toilet will eventually seep into and through the floor. This can weaken the flooring as well as damage anything underneath it. When you see little problems, call Roto-Rooter immediately and get them fixed before they turn into large issues.
Water shut-off valve beneath meter in this yard box
Turning off the Water inside the House
If a problem happens, like a pipe bursting, the quickest and easiest way to stop the flow of water is to turn off the main water valve inside the house. This valve is usually located in the basement. Make sure every member of your family knows where it is and how to turn it off.
Turning of the Water Main Outside
Another location where you can turn off the water is through the city’s water meter. This is usually located near the curb. It is in a concrete container below ground level and underneath a metal lid. To turn off the main valves you will need a water key. There are two different types, one has a two-pronged fork on the end and the other fits over a square nut like a lug wrench.
When you turn off the water here, all water to the entire building is turned off, including sprinklers that use city water. If you have separate irrigation water, it will have a separate turn-off valve, and the city water valve will not affect your sprinklers.
Since the water main is not turned on or off very often, the valve may stick. Be careful about using too much force. You can break the valve which will then flood the access point. It is best to call Roto-Rooter if you need help.
Individual Shut-off Valves
The appliances that use water, like sinks, washing machine, hot water heater, or toilet, all have their own shut-off valves. If one of these appliances breaks, turn off the water to that particular appliance. Then while you make your plumbing repairs in your Atlanta home, the rest of the house will still have water.
