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A Stopped-Up Sink
A Faucet That Won't Shut Off
A Steaming Hot Water Faucet
In a plumbing emergency, you'll need to stop the flow of water quickly. To do this, you and each member of your family needs to know
the location of the shutoff valve for every fixture and appliance, as well as the main shutoff valve for the house, and how they operate.
• If the emergency involves a specific fixture or appliance, first look for its shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to shut off the water to that
fixture or appliance only.
• The valve is usually located underneath a fixture such as a sink or a toilet, or behind an appliance, such as a clothes washer, at the
point where the water supply pipe (or pipes) connects to it.
• If the problem is not with a particular fixture or appliance, or if there's no shutoff valve for the fixture or appliance, use the main
shutoff valve to turn off the water supply to the entire house.
• In most San Francisco homes, you should find the shutoff valve in the garage or where the water pipes enter the home.
• Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off.
• If valve is stiff enough that you should need a wrench to open it, you should keep one in close proximity to shut off.
• If the main shutoff valve itself is defective and needs to be repaired, call ACE Plumbing and Rooter; they can dispatch someone with
the special tool that's required to shut off the water at the street.
A Leaking or Broken Pipe
• Turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent water damage.
• Make temporary repairs to stop the leak. (A piece of bicycle inner tube or garden hose with a hose clamp around it should allow you
to turn the water on temporarily, or until the plumber arrives.
• The pipe will have to be replaced as soon as it's convenient to do so.
A Stopped-Up Sink
• Shut off any faucet or appliance (such as dishwasher) that's draining into the sink.
• Unclog the sink using a plunger or snake.
• DON'T use a chemical drain cleaner if the line is completely blocked.
A Faucet That Won't Shut Off
• Immediately turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valve underneath the sink.
• If there's no valve there, turn off the main shutoff valve.
• Repair the faucet or, if necessary, replace it.
A Steaming Hot Water Faucet
• Open all the hot water faucets to relieve the overheated hot water heater.
• Turn off the gas or electric supply to the heater.
• Let the faucets run until cold water flows from them (this indicates the water in the heater is no longer overheated).
• Close them.
• Call in a professional to make any necessary repairs to the heater's thermostat and pressure relief valve.
A Faucet That Won't Shut Off
A Steaming Hot Water Faucet
In a plumbing emergency, you'll need to stop the flow of water quickly. To do this, you and each member of your family needs to know
the location of the shutoff valve for every fixture and appliance, as well as the main shutoff valve for the house, and how they operate.
• If the emergency involves a specific fixture or appliance, first look for its shutoff valve and turn it clockwise to shut off the water to that
fixture or appliance only.
• The valve is usually located underneath a fixture such as a sink or a toilet, or behind an appliance, such as a clothes washer, at the
point where the water supply pipe (or pipes) connects to it.
• If the problem is not with a particular fixture or appliance, or if there's no shutoff valve for the fixture or appliance, use the main
shutoff valve to turn off the water supply to the entire house.
• In most San Francisco homes, you should find the shutoff valve in the garage or where the water pipes enter the home.
• Turn the valve clockwise to shut it off.
• If valve is stiff enough that you should need a wrench to open it, you should keep one in close proximity to shut off.
• If the main shutoff valve itself is defective and needs to be repaired, call ACE Plumbing and Rooter; they can dispatch someone with
the special tool that's required to shut off the water at the street.
A Leaking or Broken Pipe
• Turn off the main shutoff valve to prevent water damage.
• Make temporary repairs to stop the leak. (A piece of bicycle inner tube or garden hose with a hose clamp around it should allow you
to turn the water on temporarily, or until the plumber arrives.
• The pipe will have to be replaced as soon as it's convenient to do so.
A Stopped-Up Sink
• Shut off any faucet or appliance (such as dishwasher) that's draining into the sink.
• Unclog the sink using a plunger or snake.
• DON'T use a chemical drain cleaner if the line is completely blocked.
A Faucet That Won't Shut Off
• Immediately turn off the water at the fixture shutoff valve underneath the sink.
• If there's no valve there, turn off the main shutoff valve.
• Repair the faucet or, if necessary, replace it.
A Steaming Hot Water Faucet
• Open all the hot water faucets to relieve the overheated hot water heater.
• Turn off the gas or electric supply to the heater.
• Let the faucets run until cold water flows from them (this indicates the water in the heater is no longer overheated).
• Close them.
• Call in a professional to make any necessary repairs to the heater's thermostat and pressure relief valve.