So we're in our 70's, we go to bed at 9 or soon after. Nothing like getting that dreaded "water leak" message right before our bed time. Thank goodness it doesn't happen too often. I have a feeling they have been gone all day. I asked her to look under cabinet to see if there were cutoff valves? She took a long time responding. I tried calling her, but she says she has no service in that area. Poor DH has gone to probably just cut off pump & water heater until we can get it fixed tomorrow. Hopefully our handyman can do it but local hardware store is closed.

I am a landlord and licensed plumber. I have installed water shut off valve for each apartment as well as each appliance. Of course I've show my tenants how to shut off their water in case of an emergency.

A few months ago a tenants water heater started leaking. Instead of turning the water heater supply ball valve 90 degrees, or turning the water the their unit off, they kept on mopping up the kitchen floor and spilling out the water. They had called my home number by mistake and not my cell phone. I got the message 2 hours later. In the mean time they called the fire department who turned off the water. Water leaked to the downstairs apartment for hours and the ceiling in the kitchen and living room got soaked and fell down. Damage in the thousands.

Forgot to mention that this rental is 16 miles away. I had tried to guide them through what to do but they are in their 20's, and evidently are pretty helpless. DH said it was the drain, so that was good news but it's sad they couldn't even figure that out. I had asked her that question.

It made me feel better that Robert's tenants didn't remember what to do even after he had told them!

I hope it wasn't a drain that they could put a bowl under and stop using the sink?

Unnecessary to go at that hour for that. Charge extra for that.

Is it so serious it HAS to be fixed on Sunday?

I respond QUICKLY, no matter the time or day, to water leaks.

I also have installed in most of my units a whole house 90 degree shut off valve. It's right next to the washing machine valves, in the same type box, with a LARGE sign that says "WHOLE HOUSE WATER SHUT OFF"

As a plumber I have automatic water turn off valves for leaks. There are one time use auto shut off valves for water heaters. Also I have other types for dishwashers, ice-makers, washing machines and so on. They can run from $100 to $400 per auto valve.

Some of these auto valves stop working because they are poorly designed. Some are great but cost a lot.

From Waggs, to Intelliflow.

I also have valves for fixtures like toilets. These valves are adjustable metered valves that can be set from 1 gallon to 9 gallons. So if you flush a toilet and it continues to run past the 1.6 gallons per flush and reaches the limit of the flow valve, it will shut off water to the toilet. I have put these valves on toilets, ice makers, dish washers, etc.

With money and smarts you can prevent all types of disasters from occurring.

Some of the valves above have to be "reset" after it cuts off the water supply. While it only takes around 30 seconds to reset a valve, you have to know how and it's hard to explain over the telephone. So I make a short video and will sent it to a client.

Plenty, that is an excellent idea! There is so much information at rental agreement signing, that much is probably lost.

Think of all the information we lost as kids over the long summer break!

I always turn the valve to the toilet(s) off. I pull the tank lid, set it on the seat and leave it over night. Lets me know if I have a leak within the stool.