In a plumbing emergency, you will need to stop the flow of water as soon as possible to prevent water damage. To do this, every family member needs to know the location of shutoff valves for every fixture/appliance and how each valve operates. If the emergency involves a specific fixture, look for its shutoff valve and turn it clockwise. The valve is usually located underneath a fixture (such as a toilet or sink) or behind appliances (such as a clothes washer) where the water supply pipe(s) connect to it. If the problem is not with a particular appliance or fixture, or if there is no shutoff valve for that item, then turn the water off to the entire house at the main shutoff valve. You will find the main shutoff valve on the inside or outside of your house where the main water supply pipe enters the house. Turn the valve clockwise to shut it OFF. If you need a wrench to turn the valve, keep one near the valve so it is available for emergencies. If the main shutoff valve is defective and needs to be replaced, call your water company to send someone out with a meter key to turn the water off at the street before it reaches the valve.
If you have a leaking or broken pipe:
- Turn the water off to prevent water damage.
- Make temporary repairs to stop the leak, if possible.
- Call our office for emergency service that day.
- Shut off any item (such as dishwasher or faucet) that drains into the sink.
- Try to unclog the sink with a plunger or snake.
- DO NOT use a chemical drain cleaner if the blockage is total.
- If you are not able to unstop the sink, call us for electric drain cleaning.
- Turn the water off at the shutoff valve under the sink.
- If there is no valve there, turn off the main shutoff valve.
- Our trucks are stocked with repair parts for most brands of faucets.
(c) 2000 Florida Plumbing Works, Inc. All Rights Reserved.