A shut-off valve is an important part of your plumbing system and it’s definitely something you should know the location of. If you’re scratching your head and wondering what a shut-off valve is or where a shut-off valve is located, than be sure to tune in. We’ll walk you through all you need to know about shut-off valves and why they are so important.
What is a Shut-Off Valve?
A shut-off valve is a knob that you can turn to turn off the supply of water to a specific plumbing feature, or your whole home. There are obviously different types of shut-off valves (we’ll get into those later) but the main thing to remember is that these valves do exactly what their name implies: they shut off the water supply.
Where is my Water Shut-off Valve?
Your shut-off valves are most likely hidden in a dark, off-to-the-side part of your basement. Commonly, it’s located near your hot water heater, so if you know where to locate this fixture, you’ve already got a head start. Your home’s main water line will come in through your home’s foundation and lead to your water heater. We suggest the next time you have your Eldersburg MD plumber on site you have them label these shut-off valves for you.
In addition to your home’s main water shut-off valve, you also have other shut-off valves. These valves help in the event of a malfunctioning toilet so you won’t need to shut off your whole home’s water. Plumbing fixture shut-off valves will be knobs located next to most of your home’s plumbing fixtures. They will lead from the wall and to the plumbing fixture itself and are fairly easy to open and close.
Why Are Water Shut-Off Valves Important?
In the event of a leak or overflowing plumbing fixture in your home, knowing where these shut-off valves are will help you to save hundreds or thousands of dollars in water damage. Simply close the shut-off valve in the event of a leak, and the water will stop being supplied to that area of your home. Once turned off, call your Eldersburg, MD plumbing service immediately so they can fix the issue that caused the leak.
For help with identifying your water shut-off valves, or for help fixing a leaking pipe after you’ve already shut-off your plumbing, get in touch with Michael Runk Plumbing and Heating today. Michael Runk is a local Eldersburg plumbing company who has served home owners and business owners in Eldersburg and surrounding areas for over 20 years. For more information on our services, give us a call today at 410-781-6791 or fill out the form on our website.