Water damage from failed or faulty plumbing systems is one of the most common homeowners’ insurance claims. Leaks can be very costly and damaging to your home – in order to minimize damage it’s important to familiarize yourself with your home’s plumbing system and to know where your shut-off valves are located.
The location can vary depending on the house, but the most common places are near your water heater, or in your crawlspace. There is also a shut off valve underground at your water meter pit. If you are on a well system, there should also be one near your well pump. Most fixtures should also have their own individual shut off valves: your sink faucet shut offs should be underneath the sink, a toilet’s shut off valve should be located to the side, and your washing machine shut off valves should be located above the appliance in the washer box recessed in the wall. Showers sometimes do not have their own shut off valves, and if they do they are usually located inside of the wall – so if you believe water may be leaking from a shower fixture it would be best to turn the water off at the main. If all else fails, be sure that you have the emergency number for your water service provider or plumber on hand.
In addition to your water main shut offs, it’s also important to know where your main gas shut offs are located in case of a leak. In most cases there will be a shut off where the gas enters the home. If you have a gas tank on your property, there should as be a shut off valve located at the tank itself.
Being able to turn off your main in the event of a leak can save your home from a substantial amount of damage. If you’re still not sure where your shut-offs are located, just give us a call. We’d be happy to give you a quick overview of your plumbing system, and even do a preventative maintenance inspection to identify any potential trouble spots.
