How To Shut Off Your Water Supply
In order to begin fixing any plumbing problem, you will want to shut off the water supply to the area to avoid any floods. Usually, items that need fixing have their own shut-off valves. Your sink and your toilet probably have them beneath their plumbing fixtures. If for some reason you can't turn this valve off or if there is a burst pipe somewhere in the bowels of your house, you will need to turn off your main water supply. This is usually located in the basement or outside your house, near the gas or electic meter.
The main shut-off valve for your house looks like a big round wheel. This is attached to a piece of pipe that leads underground. If you live in a colder climate, you may have a basement or crawlspace-installed system. In this case, the shut-off may be located inside the basement wall, but you should still be able to find the shut-off wheel easily. Turn the wheel clockwise in order to turn off the water supply to your house. If you can't turn it, you may need a special tool designed to do so. Keep this close to the valve for future emergencies. Everyone in your family should known how to shut the main water valve off. You never known when a leak could turn up.
Getting Plumbing Help
If you can't turn off you main water supply, you will need to call for assistance. Don't be ashamed! Call your utility company and ask them for someone to come and turn the water off. He or she will shut off the water source located in the street in front of your house. Ask if he or she will also take a look at your shutoff valve, or recommend someone who can.
Your Home's Plumbing
The plumbing system in your house should make sense to you. It's actually pretty logical, so take the time to learn about it. It is made up of three separate systems that come together to ensure a perfect working whole. Together they keep your water moving, take waste out of your house, and vent any built up gas.
The Vent System
Every home has a main vent that expels gas outdoors. This is located on the outside wall of your house and is called the main vent stack. If your house is especially large, you may have two of these. This stack, along with several smaller stacks, helps to eliminate all of the gas that is built up in those plumbing fixtures in your house. They also help to keep the pressure within the drainage system at an acceptable level so that pipes don't rupture. Most leaks are caused by an excess of pressure, so it is important to ensure that your vent system is working properly. Your vent system also brings air into the pipes, so make sure your vents aren't blocked or you could have a big problem.
The Supply System
This system supplies cold and hot water to different places in your house. It runs through a main supply pipe that is connected to your water source. If you are metered for your water usage, this is how your bills are determined. To turn off the water supply system you must turn off the main shut off valve to house.
The Drain Waste System
Ever wonder where all that dirty water goes? Well, the drain waste system gets rid of all the waste water produced in your house. A large pipe called the soil stack whisks away all the waste washed down your sinks, toilets, and showers. This pipe travels underneath your house and connects to the sewer line in your street or with your septic tank.
Now that you know the basic terminology, you are ready to conquer all those plumping dilemmas! Usually, household plumbing problems are the result of one of three things: drips, clogs, or leaks. Yes, they can be frustrating, but it will be even worse if you let things slide. So let's fix them up right away!
