Plumbing

When working on any home repair project, always know where your main water shut-off valve is located. This is the single most important tip for preventing a small leak from turning into a major flood. This valve is usually found where the main water line enters your house, like in the basement, crawlspace, or near your water heater. Test it now, before you have an emergency, by turning the handle clockwise until it stops. Everyone in your home should know where this valve is and how to use it. If you ever see water spraying from a broken pipe or fixture, run to this valve first and turn the water off for the whole house. This quick action can save you thousands of dollars in water damage.

For smaller jobs, like fixing a dripping sink or a running toilet, you don’t need to turn off all the water. Look under the sink or behind the toilet for small, individual shut-off valves. These are often oval-shaped handles. Turn them clockwise to stop the water flow just to that one fixture. This lets you work while the rest of the house still has water. A common DIY mistake is forcing a valve that’s stuck. Never use a wrench on a small valve handle. Instead, spray the valve stem with a lubricant like WD-40, wait a few minutes, and gently try to turn it by hand. If it still won’t budge, it’s safer to call a professional than to risk breaking it and causing a bigger leak.