Could you shut off your water in 30 seconds?

If a pipe started leaking tonight, could you shut off the water without having to search for the valve? That’s one thing I like to point out during a home inspection. With winter around the corner, it’s worth taking five minutes to find yours (Hint: if we did your home inspection, there is a photo of it in your report). A broken half-inch water line can spill 10-15 gallons of water in a minute. How long would it take you to find your shutoff?

Find it & label it. Start where the water line enters the house, often in the basement or utility room near the meter. If you’re on a well, look near the pressure tank for the valve on the line feeding the house. Once you’ve identified it, label it MAIN WATER SHUTOFF and keep the area clear. If the valve looks corroded, leaks, or won’t turn easily, have a plumber check it before you need it.

A battery-powered water leak sensor is a small gadget worth a look; it's small enough to sit under a sink or on the floor beside the water heater. When water reaches it, a basic model sounds an alarm. Some connected models also send a phone alert, which is handy if you’re away for the weekend. If you want the system to shut the water off for you, look for one with an automatic shutoff valve.

This weekend’s five-minute task...Find your main shutoff, snap a photo, and send it to the others in your household. Start with that, even if you never buy a sensor.

If you have any topics or ideas you would like to see in a future edition of Homeowner Tidbits feel free to drop me an email at lfreng@inspectionwerx.com and as always, "Get the best of US before your new home gets the best of YOU!

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