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Burst pipe? Here's what to do first
The one thing to learn before anything goes wrong: where the main shut-off is, which way it turns, and how to isolate a single fixture instead of the whole house.
Safe to DIY
Most homeowners can handle this with basic tools by following the steps below.
Beginner About 10 min
Video: Any Hour Services (YouTube)
What to do, in order
- Step 1: Look for the main valve where the supply enters the house, usually a garage wall, a utility closet, or a box near the street.
- Step 2: Turn a ball-valve handle a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe; turn a round gate valve clockwise until it stops.
- Step 3: Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain pressure and confirm the water is off.
- Step 4: For one fixture only, close the small oval stop valve under the sink or behind the toilet.
- Step 5: Label the valve today, and photograph it so anyone in the house can find it.
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