How to Turn Off Water to Shower in Condo
When living in a condo, it can be challenging to turn off the water to the shower. This is because many different types of pipes connect the hot and cold water lines. In addition, the amount of pressure needed for this type of connection is significantly higher than an average home plumbing system because many units are connected at once.
This makes it more likely for leaks to occur, which will lead to flooding and other problems around your property. To prevent leaks from happening while you’re away from your unit, it’s best practice to turn off the water supply by opening up your hot and cold valves before leaving if you want to learn how to turn off water to shower in condo, read on!
Things to Know Before Turning Off Water to Shower in Condo:
1. The water to the shower valve may be turned off from a nearby faucet.
2. The bylaws of condo associations typically regulate the procedures for turning off and then turning back on the water to a unit or condo. As such, it is essential to follow these rules closely. In addition, board approval is often required before a plumber can perform a water shut-off.
3. If the building does not have an accessible main shut-off valve, your plumber may need to break through drywall or pull up the flooring to access it. This is necessary for certain types of valves, such as gate valves and ball valves, which can be locked in place by a large nut or handle.
4. If a plumber turns off the water, there may be an additional fee for the service call.
5. Some valves are very tightly sealed and cannot be easily removed or replaced by untrained persons. Skilled plumbers may need to grind away the valve’s tile before it can be accessed.
6. The water shut-off valve does not turn off the electricity to a shower. A breaker must be shut down to stop the flow of electric current from the power source.
7. Water can be turned back on after the shower has been repaired or replaced by contacting the property management company of your building, who will get their service provider to turn the water back on.
8. Skilled plumbers may need to break through drywall or pull up the flooring to access valves that are not accessible from faucets.
7 Step to Follow: How to Turn Off Water to Shower in Condo
Step 1: Get the right tools.
You will need a few specific tools to get started. First, get some calcium chloride and some WD-40. You may also want to get an adjustable wrench and a bowl or bucket if your shower is in your bathtub (most showers are).
Step 2: Turn off the water supply to the house
First, you will want to turn off the water supply to the entire house. To do this, you’ll need to find your main water valve and turn it all the way clockwise until it stops turning.
Step 3: Open up the shower handle
Next, you’ll need to open up your shower faucet. If it’s a set screw, use your adjustable wrench and turn counter-clockwise to open it. If you can’t find a set screw, look for small holes on either side of the knob where you should be able to push in with a small pin or a nail. This will open up the handle, and you can turn counter-clockwise to remove it.
Step 4: Remove the screw in your stem
You’ll need to remove a screw at this point, which is quick and easy using an adjustable wrench. Put the twist on the head of the screw and turn counter-clockwise. However, be careful as it might shoot out if you’re not holding onto it hard enough.
Step 5: Unscrew the stem.
Now, you’re going to need your calcium chloride and your WD-40. Put both of these down where the faucet is so they can run into the area that is now exposed by removing the stem unit. Then, start turning counter-clockwise with your adjustable wrench, and the whole stem unit should come right out.
Step 6: Lubricate, install, and test.
Now that your item is removed, you’ll need to lubricate it by putting all of the calcium chlorides into the hole where your shower handle was (make sure to put some down in the bottom, too) and then spraying all of your WD-40 into the newly exposed space. After doing so, you’ll need to replace and tighten down your shower handle by turning clockwise with your adjustable wrench.
Step 7: Turn on the water supply.
Finally, turn on the water supply and test your shower before finishing this job. If it works just fine, you’re done with this job. If it does not, you may want to repeat the whole process before declaring it fixed.
You Can Check It Out to Tighten a Single Handle Moen Bathroom Faucet
Why Is It Important To Know Location of Water Shut Off?
When you stop up the water to your shower, that means no one can use your shower. But what happens when yours isn’t working? Not allowing anyone to use it also affects everyone who lives in the building/home, not just yourself. No one wants to take an ice-cold or freezing bath or get stranded somewhere with no water supply.
In the event of a major water leak and flooding, no one will be able to go home (and they probably aren’t coming back anytime soon either). If there is a water outage in your area, you won’t be able to use the shower if someone doesn’t know how to turn it back on or off. If your shower isn’t working, other people in your building/home won’t be able to either.
You Can Check It Out to Open Water Meter Box
Conclusion:
If you have a condo, the water is likely turned off when not used in your building. You can’t just turn on the tap or shower and expect to get hot water. This guide will show you how to take long showers with less energy! These instructions save money and time and help conserve natural resources by using only what you need.
You might be surprised at how much water is wasted every day by simply leaving it running as we brush our teeth or take shorter showers! Now that we know just how to turn off the water to shower in a condo, let’s get started turning off those taps, so we don’t waste any more precious resources.
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
