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You and your location
manager need to know the location of the shutoff valves for
all fixtures and appliances, as well as the main shutoff
valve for the house. Scroll down to view our Emergency
Plumbing Procedures to better equip you and manager
on duty the knowledge of how to handle a plumbing emergency.
Also, if you have a plumbing problem and would like to speak
to a certified plumber now, call us 24 hours a day 7 days
a week - 1-800-235-4393.
Anytime Plumbing Emergency Procedures
In a plumbing emergency,
you'll need to stop the flow of water quickly. To do this,
you and manager on duty needs to know the location of the
shutoff valve for every fixture and appliance, as well as
the main shutoff valve for the building, and how they operate.
If the emergency involves a specific fixture or appliance,
first look for its shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to shut
off the water to that fixture or appliance only.
The valve is usually located underneath a fixture such as
a sink or a toilet, or behind an appliance, such as a clothes
washer, at the point where the water supply pipe (or pipes)
connects to it.
If the problem is not with a particular fixture or appliance,
or if there's no shutoff valve for the fixture or appliance,
use the main shutoff valve to turn off the water supply to
the entire building.
You'll find the main shutoff valve on the inside or outside
of your building where the main water supply pipe enters.
In cold climates, look just inside the foundation wall in
the basement or crawl space.
Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off.
Professional Tip If you need a wrench to turn the valve,
keep one, specially labeled near the valve so it's handy.
If the main shutoff valve itself is defective and needs to
be repaired, call your water company; they can send someone
out with the special tool that's required to shut off the water
at the street before it reaches the valve.
A Leaking or Broken Pipe
Veterans will make temporary repair to stop the
leak and secure the building.
Turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent water damage.
Make temporary repairs to stop the leak.
The pipe will have to be replaced as soon as it's convenient
to do so.
A Steaming Hot Water Faucet
Open all the hot water faucets to relieve the overheated
hot water heater.
Turn off the gas or electric supply to the heater.
Let the faucets run until cold water flows from them (this
indicates the water in the heater is no longer overheated).
Close them.
Call Veterans to make any necessary repairs
to the heater's thermostat and pressure relief valve.
A Faucet That Won't Shut Off
Immediately turn off the water at the fixture
shutoff valve underneath the sink.
If there's no valve there, turn off the
main shutoff valve.
Repair the faucet or, if necessary, replace
it.
A Stopped-Up Sink
Shut off any faucet or appliance (such as
dishwasher) that's draining into the sink.
Unclog the sink using a plunger or snake.
DON'T use a chemical drain cleaner if the
fixture is totally blocked. Drain cleaners will only
help a slow draining sink.
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