What to Do When Your Shut-off valve Breaks

by digital.team | Oct 27, 2020 | Uncategorized

A shut-off valve is meant to save your neck in case of an emergency, such as if a pipe bursts or a fixture starts leaking.

Water can pour pretty quickly into your home if that happens, so a shut-off valve, if used in time, can prevent a lot of water damage. If it doesn’t work, however, everything can go wrong pretty quickly. Here’s everything you need to know about shut-off valves, and what to do if yours doesn’t work.

What Is a Shut-off valve?

When most people hear the words shut-off valve, they think of the main one, which stops the water coming into your home. This is your go-to defense against pretty much any plumbing catastrophe, and should always be kept in good working order. Whether you have a leaking pipe, a broken shower knob, a busted water heater, or almost any other emergency you can think of, your shut-off valve is what will save you from endless water damage.

Besides the main shut off, you also typically have shut-off valves at every toilet, faucet, and appliance in your home. These shut-off valves are perfect for any situation involving very localized issues. If you have a leaking dishwasher, broken faucet knob, or a toilet that won’t stop running, for instance, this small shut-off valve will stop water flow to just that location while preserving water to the rest of the house.

Either way, any shut-off valve can mean the difference between a minor plumbing fix and major water damage, so it’s important to check these regularly to make sure they work properly.

Types of Shut-off valves

The smaller shut-off valves are typically just a small metal handle you twist to close the valve and shut off water flow. You can easily find an example of one next to your toilet. The main shut-off valve, on the other hand, is usually a ball valve, identifiable by a large lever or handle, often red in color, that runs perpendicular to the pipe when open. To close it, you’ll turn it a quarter turn until it goes the same direction as the pipe. Some older homes will have a gate valve, which will have a small metal wheel, also usually red, which you turn to close the valve. If your home has a gate valve as the main shut off, be careful, as these can break easily. It’s best to have it replaced with a modern ball valve as soon as possible.

What to Do with a Non-Working Valve

But what should you do if your valve breaks? The answer depends upon what the valve is actually doing. If it’s leaking, for instance, you could try grabbing a pair of pliers and tightening it up. If it’s stuck, you can try spraying it with WD-40 and letting it sit for a while before trying again, in the hopes that the oil will loosen up whatever is stuck.

If the valve is only partially closing, or if you can’t get it unstuck or to stop leaking, you’ll need to call a plumber to determine whether the valve needs to be replaced. A shut-off valve that doesn’t close all way can’t do its job in an emergency and is liable to leave you with a house full of water.

It can’t be stressed enough how important it is to check your shut-off valves occasionally! Finding out one isn’t working in a non-emergency situation is much less stressful and gives you time to get it fixed during normal business hours. Finding out it doesn’t work when you need it most is going to make a bigger problem out of something that could have been little more than an inconvenience.

Next Steps

If you’ve found a shut-off valve that isn’t working, call Dauenhauer ASAP to get it straightened out. Our experienced technicians can assess the valve and determine whether it needs to be replaced. And because we know life happens and you aren’t always going to catch a problem during business hours, we also offer 24/7 emergency service.

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He was so caring and informative. He was neat and cleaned up after installing the new toilet.

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Your HVAC can affect your family’s sleep

by digital.team | Oct 22, 2020 | Air Conditioning, Heating

Believe it or not, your HVAC system can have a major impact on your family’s sleeping habits.

Things like temperature, humidity, noise and air quality can all affect the way you catch your Z’s every night. Getting enough sleep is important to you and your family’s overall health and wellbeing. Make sure your HVAC is adjusted correctly to improve your quality of sleep so you can wake up every day ready to take on the world.

Inconsistent or Wrong Temperatures

Temperature plays an important role in your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Studies have shown that the optimal sleeping temperature is between 60-67 degrees. Babies and younger children prefer a slightly higher temperature between 65-70 degrees. Set your system to a temperature that fits your family’s preferences.

If your HVAC system is older or in need of a service, it might not be able to maintain a consistent temperature. Fluctuating temperatures can hinder your ability to fall asleep or even wake you up in the middle of the night. One minute you’re sweating under the covers and the next you’re shivering while you reach for another blanket. If your HVAC is having trouble maintaining a consistent temperature, it could be your thermostat.

High or Low Humidity

As anyone living in Louisville, Kentucky already knows, humidity can make things uncomfortable in a hurry. If the humidity is too high, you’ll probably toss and turn all night. If the humidity is too low, you could be left with dry, itchy skin. Maintaining the right humidity is a tricky job, especially during seasonal changes, but it’s important for quality sleep. Here are some things that might be affecting your indoor humidity:

AC unit is too large for the space
Unit limited to a single speed
Negative air pressure inside your home
Using the wrong thermostat setting
Old unit can’t handle the load

Noisy HVAC Systems

It can be pretty hard to sleep when it sounds like a monster is just outside your bedroom. A sudden loud noise in the middle of the night can wake you up and prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. Depending on the outside temperature, your HVAC system might have to kick on multiple times per night and stop you from getting the sleep you need.

Whether it’s your AC unit or your furnace, loud noises could mean that your unit is in need of repair. Call a technician to service your HVAC unit before small issues become larger, more expensive problems.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Your HVAC system recirculates the air in your home several times per cycle. If there are contaminants in your duct system like dirt, dust, pollen, dander or pet hair, it’s all being scattered throughout your home and lowering the overall air quality.

If someone in your family has allergies, these contaminants can be a major problem that could affect their ability to breathe or even make them feel sick. If you regularly wake up with congestion, eye irritation, sore throats, or headaches, it might be your HVAC system.

Follow these easy steps to help improve your indoor air quality for better sleep and overall health:

Change air filters regularly
Open windows and let fresh air in
Keep up with HVAC maintenance

Sleep Better with a Professional HVAC Service

With the impact that your HVAC system can have on your family’s sleep, it’s important to keep it properly maintained. If you’ve been experiencing anything from this list, it might be time to call a professional. At Dauenhauer, we have years of experience working with Louisville, KY, families performing HVAC services, repairs and tune ups. Let us help your family stay comfortable and healthy. Contact us for a quote today and be on your way to better sleep in no time.