Automatic Water Shut-Off Valve Guide

A flood is a major catastrophe that can leave your home damaged and severely ruined. Many floods can happen because of water leaks that the homeowner didn’t recognize. It can be a cracked pipe or a burst in the toilet line. It will take time and money to repair all the damage, costing you to spend thousands of dollars on your plumber for repair and replacements. Along with repairment troubles, you will also have to evacuate your home due to the reconstruction process. All of this is a hassle that you don’t want to deal with. Luckily, an automatic water shut-off valve can save you from these struggles.

What Is a Shut-Off Valve?

An automatic water shut-off valve monitors the water flow in pipes and can detect water on surfaces. If the water flow is too high or the shut-off valve senses water leaks, it automatically shuts off the water for your home. This prevents many small leaks in your home from developing into something much more serious. Neighborhood Plumbing can help with the maintenance and replacement of your shut off valve. They should regularly be replaced every 10-15 years.

Types of Water Shut-Off Valves

• Ball Valve – A ball valve is an enormous metal valve that includes a switch handle. This is the kind of valve frequently seen at the main water shutoff for the home. You can normally remember it using the fact that the body of the valve underneath the handle will have a thicker center segment where the ball inside fits. This is a typical kind of valve on main water pipes.
• Gate Valve – A gate valve depicts the mechanism by which the valve is opened and shut. To turn a gate valve on or off, a round handle raises or lowers a metal entryway inside the valve body. When the valve is off, the gate impedes the progression of water. The gate valve can be utilized to diminish the water stream or stop it. They are more common in industrial plumbing.
• Globe Valve – A globe valve is intended to permit changes in the water stream. Inside the valve, there is a baffle with a water stream port going through it. The handle works as a plunger with a washer or seal on the lower part. As the handle shuts the valve, the plunger drops down against the water-stream port and somewhat shuts it off. At the point when the handle is worked, you can frequently feel the plunger tighten inside the valve.

How to Avoid Water Damage in Your Home

• Disconnect Hoses – During the colder seasons, make sure to disconnect your hose from its faucet. As the weather gets colder, the water inside the hose can freeze and lead to a blockage in the pipes. It may even cause the pipes to burst if the pressure is too tight.
• Clean Gutters and Downspouts – Water buildup in gutters can also freeze and cause blockages in colder months. Check for dirt or any other debris at least twice a year to make sure your downspouts are in good shape.
• Know Your Water Main – An experienced plumber tip we always recommend is to know the basics of your plumbing system. Your water main is the primary path where water passes through to get distributed to the rest of the house. Knowing the location of your shut-off valve is also very important. Shutting off the water on time can save a lot of unwanted trouble.