Household plumbing is something that you can more or less ignore — until all of a sudden you can’t. But if you have a leak, a clog, or another plumbing problem, all of your ordinary tasks — showering, washing your hands, using the toilet, doing laundry — can come to a standstill. In those cases, getting a pro out to your home immediately can be costly (if it’s possible at all!).
As a master plumber and founder of Ferris Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Matthew Ferris is well versed in the problems that can come from a lack of plumbing maintenance. And Ferris says there’s one task he does monthly in his own home to prevent disaster (and it only takes a moment!): testing the shutoff valves in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms to make sure they’re in working order. “Nothing is more important than verifying that my water shutoff valves are fully functional,” he says.
That’s because if you have a burst pipe or leaky appliance, the first point of attack is to shut off the water valve so that floors and walls don’t succumb to water damage. “Being able to turn the water off makes any smaller issues much easier to repair before they escalate,” says Ferris.
Here’s how to test valves in your own home: Slowly turn the handles when testing your shutoff valves, and listen for any sticking or creaking that could signal trouble. Then check a nearby faucet to ensure the water is off, and voilà! You’ve done your monthly check.
If you’re finding that valves are difficult to turn on and off, try spraying the valve with WD-40 before attempting to turn it again; the lubrication could be just what it needs to get unstuck.
If you close the valve but the water doesn’t shut off where it’s supposed to, that could indicate problems like corrosion, sediment buildup, or even age-related wear and tear. In that case, it’s time to call in a pro for the fix. They’ll shut off water to your entire home before investigating the issue, and can replace the valve entirely if needed.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: The One Easy Task a Pro Plumber Does at Home Every Month (He Says You Should, Too!)
