4) You will need to have on hand drain line repair 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.
After you have the stems out you should be able to find the washer on the "inside" end. If it is nicked, torn or brittle it is likely the cause of your drip. Even if it looks brand new, go ahead and replace it. You've already come this far. You can get replacement washers at almost any hardware store. Sometimes you may want to replace the whole stem, especially if the handle end is stripped out. It's best to just take the stem with you to the store and see if you can match it up. Most Do It Yourself stores have replacement stems for many popular brands. If your valve has a center diverter valve to switch the waterfrom the tub spout to the shower head the same process applies. Many times it is easier to replace the diverter stem than to repair it. This really depends on the design of the stem.
These harsh working conditions would be hard for anyone. Plumbers need to make sure that they take all of the precautions they can take to remain uninjured, healthy and safe.
Be certain that the bathroom exhaust fan vents to the outdoors, not into the house or attic. If the exterior vent dampers don't operate properly or water line repair don't seat well have them fixed or replaced.
For a newly installed icemaker, you will need up to 24 hours to let the machine function and cool down. A newly installed icemaker may not work until the ice mold temperature has dropped to about 15F - 16F degrees. If you have just added a water line to the refrigerator, it may take up to about an hour and a half for the machine to start working. Also, a newly installed water line may have air in the line. It can sometimes take a few ice making cycles to clear the line of air.
The next huge thing is to prevent and kill mold that has already started growing. Mold is the most dangerous thing when an area floods. Mold can turn deadly within a extended period of time. Use mold killing agents like Killz and other products on the the market. Be extremely thorough with this process. If the water flooded above the dry wall line, you MUST remove the dry wall to make sure you can replace insulation and dry wall which mold naturally is attracted to. Painting a Killz primer on the concrete is a great idea before installing new carpet and drywall. This will ensure that you have prevented future mold growth and will also ensure the safety of your family.