One of the first things to be ascertained before attempting to repair a leak is to safely isolation the water supply. Knowing how to stop a leak requires identifying the location of the stopcock. However, if the plumbing is something that is familiar to you there may be an easier way to shut down the water supply.
There are three common locations where a properties water supply can be turn off. The incoming supply starts it journey outside the property before arriving at a designated outlet. Leakage found between the outside mains water supply shut off valve and the stopcock most be isolated from the outside. How to stop a leak becomes simplified if the water supplied is turned off and the designated point of repair is accessible.
The outside water mains shut off valve is usually operated by a plumber or a representative from your local water supplier. The shut off valve requires special equipment to be operated, and it should always be handled with care. Excessive force can share its delicate mechanical mechanism; this can create a serious problem.
A stopcock if turned off will be the remedy for most leaks, but with modernisation, there are now easily ways to isolate. How to stop a leak? This can be done by isolation valves placed strategically throughout your property. Most isolations valves are designed to handle mains water pressure. However, gate valves that are found on systems that incorporate a copper cylinder are used to shut off the hot water supply. A system that incorporates a copper cylinder is called open vented. On these systems, the hot water supply is distributed at a lower pressure than the cold water. Gate valves can be found on the hot supply. A gate valve can be identified by its circular red handle that is easily operated. The majority of gate valves can be found in proximity to the location of the copper cylinder installed within an airing cupboard.
Most plumbers have a good understanding of how to stop a leak within your property. Leaks that are found on the central heating should easily be tackled by an experienced plumber. Merely isolating the mains stopcock is not always the remedy for a problem such as this. The draining down of the systems water is a standard plan of action in situations like this. At designated points throughout your heating system drain off valves can be found. A drain off valves is in place to relieve the system of its water supply to carry out repairs. A drain off valves can be found beneath radiators or at the lowest point of a rising pipeline.
Avid DIYers with a passion for carrying out their own household repairs can tackle a variety of different plumbing repairs. Understanding the basic layout of your properties plumbing can be useful even to those without a desire to carry out the repairs themselves. Having a good insight to the whereabouts of all your plumbing systems isolation points is important. Knowing how to stop a leak quickly in an emergency can drastically help to reduce the possibility of water damage. The occupants or tenants could restrain the water supply until professional assistance arrives.