Plumbing emergencies are one of the most annoying problems homeowners have to deal with. Although you can never tell when these emergencies will arise in your home, you can take steps to prevent them. Here are a few useful tips on how to detect and stop plumbing problems in their tracks.

Acquaint Yourself With How Your Home's Plumbing System Works

Buried in your yard, and hidden in the walls, floors and attic of your house is your plumbing system. As plumbing components are concealed, for the most part, it's easy to neglect them until a problem arises.  Although your home's plumbing system might seem like a broad and complex network of pipes, valves, fixtures and fittings, deciphering it is easier than you may think. You only need to take the time to learn about it.

Generally, home plumbing systems comprise two main systems – the water supply system and the drainage system. The water supply system consists of all pipes, valves and water-carrying fixtures, fittings and appliances used to deliver potable water to various points of use within the home. The drainage system, on the other hand, comprises of drain pipes that direct wastewater and sewage out of the property, as well as drain traps and drain vents used to facilitate proper flow of the wastewater and sewage through the system.

Find out how each component works, and what can cause it to act up. This way, you'll know where to look when you start experiencing plumbing issues in your home.

Know the Location of the Water Shutoff Valves in Your Home

In most cases, the first thing you'll need to do when you discover you have a plumbing problem in your home is to cut off the water supply to your entire home, or the specific area of your home where the problem has occurred. That said, it is important to know the exact location of all of the shutoff valves used to regulate the flow of water in your house before trouble strikes. Shutting off the water supply to your home is vital for ensuring proper assessment of the situation and preventing problems from becoming worse fast.

If you follow these two tips, you should be able to avoid most plumbing problems and emergencies. But if you encounter a plumbing issue you can't handle yourself, don't hesitate to contact a qualified plumber for help. Remember, plumbing problems tend to get worse over time, so don't leave them unattended for too long.