Water’s going everywhere, and you need to stop it as soon as you can. Otherwise, your space will be flooded, and that water damage can be costly to repair.
It’s a stressful moment, but knowing precisely what to do and planning ahead can make it much easier.
Here’s your guide to turning off your water as you respond to a plumbing emergency.
Locate Your Main Water Valve
The first thing you want to do is find your main water valve. This is what controls the water flow in your whole home. If water is spraying or leaking and you need it to stop, this is your first port of call.
It’s worth knowing where your valve is before an emergency happens. That way, you’re not scrambling to find it when things get serious.
In most Toronto homes, you’ll find the main shut-off valve:
- In the basement, along the front wall near the water meter
- In crawl spaces or utility rooms if there’s no basement
- Near where the water line enters your home from the street
Most homes have one of two types of shut-off valves. The first is a ball valve. It has a straight handle and turns only a quarter of a full rotation (90 degrees). When the handle is in line with the pipe, water is flowing. The second is a gate valve. These have a round handle that looks like a wheel. You need to give it a few full turns before the water switches off, much like a tap.
Close Up Your Shut-Off Valve
Now, it’s time to take action. If water is spraying everywhere and anywhere, switch off your main water valve. It’s the only way to stop water from flowing into your home.
- If you have a ball valve, grab the handle and turn it one-quarter turn so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.
- If you have a gate valve, turn the handle clockwise about four to six times. Keep going until it won’t turn anymore.
Once the valve is shut, the water supply to your whole house is off. You’ve bought yourself time to deal with the problem with the help of a Toronto plumbing expert.
Turn Off the Water Using the Fixture
In some cases, there’s actually no need to turn off water to the house. If the issue is limited to one fixture, you can usually stop the problem locally. This is a good move if the rest of your plumbing is working as it should be.
Here’s what to do:
- If you have a problem with a sink, have a look under it. You’ll see two shut-off valves. One is for hot water, and one is for cold. Turn them both clockwise all the way.
- If it’s the toilet playing up, find the valve on the wall behind or beside the toilet. Turn it clockwise to shut off water to the tank.
- Bath or shower causing you trouble? They might not have individual shut-offs, so you’ll need to use the main one.
- If it’s the washing machine, locate hot and cold water valves behind the unit. Turn both clockwise until fully closed.
- And finally, if the dishwasher is broken, trace the water line under the sink. You’ll probably find a shut-off somewhere along that line. Turn it clockwise to close it.
What to Do Once the Water Is Off
Once the water is off, the next step is fixing the problem. If you’re dealing with a damaged pipe, faulty valve, or recurring leak, it’s time to bring in a licensed Toronto plumber.
Mister Plumber offers fast, reliable plumbing and drain services across the GTA. So if you need expert plumbing in Toronto, join more than 20,000 homeowners who trust us. Contact our team today.
