Something that every homeowner needs to understand about plumbing is how the water is turned off, in case of an emergency. It’s something that you hope you will not need to use, but it’s quite handy to know, just in case!

Normally, the cutoff is near the front of the house. There could be a separate cutoff box on the owner’s side of the meter. If not, the owner needs to be able to open the water meter and turn it off there. This will require a water meter key, which is to be found at a local home improvement store, as well as a wrench. After obtaining the key, practice opening the meter door and observe how the shutoff valve operates. Next, put the key in an easy place to remember for when you need it.

The secondary thing a homeowner ought to have is at least two recommended plumbers. Having a backup referral is always a good idea, in case your first choice can’t make it in emergency. Homeowners sometimes prefer to go the do-it-yourself route. There are tons of DIY videos on the Internet but having the name of a good plumber, if the job gets out of personal control, can be the tool that you will be thankful for!

The real estate business puts us in touch with some of the most reliable and reputable service providers and we are more than willing to share recommended names with you. Regardless of whether you do it or entrust it to a plumber, being familiar with the basics for your household can be very useful.

http://www.har.com/blog_48935_two-things-everyone-needs-to-know-about-plumbing