Water damages can sneak up on you!

9/24/2019 (Permalink)

Dont end up like this homeowner, learn the locations of the water cut offs in your Sparta NC home.

Are you aware of the potential origins of water damages in your home?  Do you know how to cut off the water supply to your home in the event of an emergency?  Should you cut off your water if you are going to be away from home for more than an overnight trip?  Most all of our homes enjoy the (usually) uninterrupted supply of hot and cold water for bathing, cooking, cleaning and drinking but all the sources of water in your home are also potential water damages.

Your sinks, toilets, washing machines and ice makers all have water supply lines bringing them H20.  These supply lines are prone to breakdown with old age and or improper installation.  Periodically inspect and change all supply lines at these areas along with their cut offs. 

All water sources with the exception of your ice maker line also have an accompanying drain line that flows to the sewer or septic system in your home.  The p-traps and wax seals on these drain lines are also susceptible to breakdown with old age and use, possibly more so due to the fact  they are sometimes located unseen,  inside wall cavities or crawlspaces.

The interior water cutoff in your home is usually located just inside an exterior wall where your water supply line from city water or a well are brought into your residence. If you don’t know where yours are located or you are unfamiliar with their use you should immediately learn their locations and how to manipulate the cut off valves to turn them off.  In an emergency situation this can save you from many more thousands of gallons of water from coming into your home while you await a plumber.

 Always cut off the water supply to you home if you are going to be away any longer than overnight to protect yourself from an uninterrupted pipe failure.  If you have well water you should be able to cut off the disconnect/circuit breaker to your well pump if you are going to be away from home. City water will have a meter just inside your yard close to the street.  Your water can be shut off here if you are unable to find or reach your interior cut off.  These cut offs sometimes a special tool you can purchase at any hardware store.

Always make it a point to inspect the crawlspace or basement of your home periodically for unseen leaks from supply and drain lines.  Also look for any sign of water intrusion from the exterior of your home and take steps to ensure the proper drainage of your gutters and french drains away from your foundation.

Learning and observing these simple steps in your Sparta, NC home can protect and limit your property loss from water damage. Call SERVPRO of Davie & Yadkin Counties, 336 677 1415 to assist with any water or mold damages.