Owning your own home and taking care of the property is a lot of responsibility. We want to help make your life a little easier, so here are three plumbing fixes all homeowners should know!
1. How to Shut Off the Water
The top of every homeowner’s DIY plumbing list should include knowing how to turn the water on and off to your house as well as the individual plumbing fixtures in it. Turning off the water is the first step in stopping a leak or making other plumbing repairs, so it’s important to locate the main water shutoff valve to your home now before an emergency happens.
2. How to Turn Off a Water Heater
Knowing how to turn off your water heater is vital. This is extremely important in case it develops a leak, overheats, or if you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time.
There are two steps involved in turning off a water heater:
- Turn off the gas or electricity: On gas hot water heaters, turn the gas supply knob on the water heater to the off position. For electric water heaters, flip the circuit breaker or remove the fuse that powers the water heater.
- Turn off the water: To turn off the water to a water heater, turn the shutoff valve on the cold water supply pipe going into the water heater clockwise.
3. How to Fix a Leaky Pipe
To repair a leak in a pipe with epoxy putty:
- Find the location of the leak.
- Turn off the main water supply (see fix #1).
- Dry the pipe with a towel.
- Knead the two-part epoxy putty together.
- Apply the putty around the pipe and allow it to set.
- Turn the water back on and check the pipe for leaks.
To repair a leak in a pipe with a pipe repair clamp:
- Find the location of the leak.
- Turn off the main water supply.
- Loosen the screws on the pipe repair clamp.
- Place the repair clamp around the pipe.
- Tighten the screws so the rubber gasket on the clamp is against the leak.
- Turn the water back on and check the pipe for leaks.
Some plumbing issues you can fix on your own, but other situations may require a professional to get the job done. If you live in the Orlando area, give Michael’s Plumbing a call (407) 219-9772 or schedule maintenance online today!