I Have an Emergency

Jump to:

• I have water flooding
  • How to turn off the water to your home
• I have a gas leak
  • How to turn off the gas to your home
• I have no hot water
• My drains are backing up
• My heat won't come on
• My C.O. Alarm is going off

3 Steps to:

Turning off the Water to Your Home

The information below is a basic guide and not meant to address all situations

* Before you turn the water off to your home it is ideal to shut down anything that requires water to operate—for example, water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, boilers, circulation pumps.  In addition, shutting the gas or power off as applicable can prevent damage to those units. Remember many appliances such as water heaters and pumps should not be turned on unless water is flowing through it completely.

Step 1  Locating Your Water Shut-off
Most single-family homes have a water shut-off located close to an exterior wall in the basement, in the garage, or near the hot water heater.

Note:  The water can also be turned off at the water meter, but this usually requires the assistance of your district water utility and a special tool or key.

Your shut-off valve should look like one of these pictured below:

Photos coming soon!

 

Gate Valve                                                                                Ball Valve

Step 2  Turning the Valve to The “Off” Position
If you have a:
Gate Valve-operate by turning the wheel clockwise until the water is off.
If you have a:
Ball Valve-operate by turning the handle a quarter turn clockwise until the water is off.

Step 3  Verify The Water Is Off
To verify your water is off, turn on a faucet or hose bib and make sure there is no water running/flowing from it.

Turning The Water Back On
To turn the water back on, turn your valve in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise) used to turn it on.

Now that the Emergency Is Over:

Having a little information could prevent a lot of damage!

Take a few minutes NOW while you are not in the middle of an emergency to show everyone in your home where the shut-off valve is located and how to turn it off

During an emergency such as an unexpected winter freeze, an earthquake or a flood, you will want to turn off your water supply to your home as soon as possible.

Another good idea is to attach a water-proof label to your shut-off valve for quick identification.

Remember that when it comes to water damage to your home and property,
the sooner you can turn off your water,
 the better your chances are of avoiding severe and extensive damage

Note:  If you are unable to locate or turn off the shut-off valve to your house you may be able to stop a flood by turning off the water to the individual fixtures.

Sinks, toilets and washing machines have individual handles for turning off the water to that fixture, usually located under or behind the fixture.  Hot water tanks have a shut off valve on the cold water supply.  Dishwasher shut off valves are often under the sink and refrigerator icemakers may also be under your sink or behind the refrigerator.  Tubs and showers, in most cases do not have their own shut-off valve.

If you have a leak somewhere before one of the above mentioned fixtures shutting off the individual fixture will not work and you will have to shut off the main valve.

Note:  Older apartment buildings may not follow the same rules if built before code changes required each apartment individual dwelling to have its own shut-off valve.

* The above is for common applications and may differ from the specific application you have in your own home ore business.  We normally recommend a professional.  If you have an emergency our phones are open to you 24/7.  Click here for 24/7 phone contact
 

How to Shut off Your Gas

I have a gas leak

“I Have A Gas Leak”

The information below is a basic guide and not meant to address all situations

We recommend:

• If you have never operated a gas valve before, and/or you are not certain of safety measures, and/or not certain how to properly turn a gas valve on or off to call a professional for this service.
• If there is a gas leak call 911 or your gas utility service for quick emergency response and to call Day & Nite Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for 24/7 help with repairs or service.
• In a natural gas emergency it is best to know where the emergency shut-off valves are and what your local utility recommends (see PSE’s website for more details at: http://www.pse.com)
• Before a natural gas emergency we strongly recommend taking advantage of our "I.D. for Free" ™ program where one of our qualified technicians can come out to locate and clearly label emergency gas and water shut off valves at no charge. Click here for more information on the "I.D. for Free" ™ program.

   

Gas valves:

• Typically a gas valve to isolate a specific appliance is located near or at the appliance.
• These valves are often supplied have a lever handle and will shut off or open with a quarter turn.
• If the hand is parallel with the pipe, this typically means the valve is fully open.
• When the valve is perpendicular to the pipe the valve should be in the off position.
• Not all gas valves are a quarter turn style valve. One common example of this would be a fireplace gas valve.
  • Though there are some fireplace valves that are a quarter turn valve many are not.
  • Fireplace valves are usually actuated with a key that you insert to the stem of the valve.
  • Turning clockwise until the valve is seated should close the valve and turning counter clockwise will start to open the valve.

Standing Pilot:

• Please keep in mind some appliances have a standing pilot.
• It is important to clearly identify if the appliance does in fact have a standing pilot to relight.
• MANUALLY LIGHTING AN APPLIANCE WITHOUT A STANDING PILOT SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
• When shutting off the gas supply to an appliance with a standing pilot the pilot needs to be relit for the appliance to operate again once the gas is safely turned back on.
• It is best to follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions and instructions for relighting a pilot.
• If you are unsure how to do this safely please give us a call to schedule a professional to properly light the pilot on your standing pilot appliance.
• Please have us help you if your appliance will not operate after the gas is safely turned back on.

I have no hot water
Coming Soon!

My drains are backing up
Coming Soon!

My heat won't come on
Coming Soon!

My C.O. Alarm is going off
Coming Soon!