Other Helpful Hints Home Owners Should Know

How to shut the water to your home off

Locate the water meter and turn the valve handle clockwise. The water meter is gold in color and has a flap type lid which closes over the dial gauge in most cases. Turn a faucet on and off to see the gauge move to identify this is the right meter.

How to shut your water heater off

Turn the gas control valve to off. Turn the valve on the cold side (water feeding side) clockwise until it stops.

What to do if you smell gas

Leave the home immediately, move slowly, do not turn on or off any light switches or any other item which may create a spark.

What to do if the faucet breaks or the water to it won't shut off

Locate you water meter in the basement, turn the valve clockwise until it stops. If it has a level handle, turn it clockwise a 1/4 turn. Don't ever force a valve. Your water heater can be identified by its gold color, with a flap type lid over the gauges. You should see the needle in the meter turning if the water is running.

How to flush the sediment from the water heater

Connect a hose to the boiler drain valve at the base of the water heater. Run the other end of the hose to a drain and turn the boiler drain valve counter clockwise. Let run for about 10 minutes. Turn the drain valve clockwise and disconnect the hose.

Additional DIY Resources

Books

• Home Maintenance for Dummies
• HandyMa'am (TM): Home Improvement, Decorating, & Maintenance Tips & Projects for You and Your Family
• The Virgin Homeowner : The Essential Guide to Owning, Maintaining, and Surviving Your Home
• New Fix-It-Yourself Manual

• Common Home Repairs

Tools

• Power Tools

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Submitted by: Sondra Moore

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