The following story is not based on any real-life events, but trust me when I tell you that this does happen in many homes including right here in Waterford, MI. 

This could happen to you

Jenny was in the house alone waiting for the kids to get home from school when she heard water running downstairs. She went to check it out and found a broken shutoff valve under the kitchen sink spewing gallons of water every minute.

A sudden panic set in when Jenny realized she didn’t know where the main shutoff valve for the house was located. She quickly called her husband and breathlessly pleaded, “Jeff HELP! The house is being flooded and I need to know how to make it stop. Where’s the main water shutoff valve?” Jeff paused ever so briefly then said, “Honey, I’m sorry but I can’t remember. It has been several years since we moved in and we’ve never had to use it before.” 

By the time the call went out for an emergency plumber and he arrived on the scene, water had extensively damaged the house. The weeks that followed were filled with insurance claim paperwork, restoration workers tearing up floors and walls, and a lot of regret by Jenny and Jeff for not knowing this basic information.

Don’t take any chances

Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing wants you to know the lesson here is always be prepared. Every person who lives in your Waterford, MI house should know where the water shutoff valve is located. It’s possible you will never have to use it. But the truth is you never know when there will be a broken water pipe or other damaging leak in your home. If you don’t know where the valve is, here are a few tips to locate it:

• Almost always located near the perimeter of the house
• Usually in the basement where the water line enters the home
• If you don’t have a basement, check the outside wall nearest to your water meter
• It will not be upstairs

If you still haven’t found it, check the documents from when you bought the home. A home inspection should always note where the shutoff valve is located. 

Don’t end up in a situation like Jenny and Jeff having to call an emergency plumber. If you can’t find the valve, call Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for help or for any other plumbing or HVAC services you might need. For more great information be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.