4) You will need to have on hand toilet tape, small gas torch, solder, flux, plumbing sandpaper, pipe cutter, gas tape (to seal gas line) and maybe some pipe glue. Ask the sales person at the hardware store for a more defined list.
Turn off the water to the water line repair heater or if the valve is not working turn off the water to the house. If the valve is not working it will need to be replaced. In a future article we will discuss how to replace your valve.
You don't want to be paying your plumber to clear the area before they start work particularly if you are paying an hourly rate. Empty cupboards and make sure there is nothing that may cost the plumber time and you money gaining access to the job.
If you do experience a broken pipe, you must act quickly to prevent further water damage to your home or business. The first thing you must do is shut off the water immediately. Know where the water shut off valve is located and make sure all members of the household are aware of its location and how to shut it off.
If you do not have hot water in your home, it may be a bit tricky for you to attempt to find out what the cause is yourself. If you have a tank that is leaking, this may be the reason why you do not have any hot water. If you have an electrical unit, the causes may be things such as a bad heating element, fuses that are blown, an overload switch which is bad, circuit breakers not working properly or faulty thermostats. If you have a gas tank, the problems causing you to not have hot water line repair may include a problem with the thermocouple burners. In situations like these, it is imperative that you contact a reputable plumbing company to get everything squared away.
Keep your hands clean and dry. Plumbing jobs get slippery, so it's important to work with a pair of sturdy gloves so you don't lose your grip and accidentally hurt yourself or break something.
Especially with older plumbing systems, a leaky pipe is like an alarm, signaling that other pipes may also be on the brink of failure. To get a grip on whether your plumbing system can last, a professional plumber may send a remote camera through your network. If any pipes are about to break, the camera will give you a heads up. If your entire plumbing system is outdated and weak, it may be best to simply replace the whole thing. Although this can be a costly enterprise, with a price tag of at least a couple of thousand dollars, the upside is that a new sewer line will reliably perform its duty for decades to come.