Understanding Water Shut-Off Valve: Why It's Critical to Learn

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The plumbing system of your residence is a complex network of pipes and also shut-off shutoffs. The latter is made use of to regulate the water's circulation into the pipelines throughout the entire home. In the event of an emergency, you can reduce the water making use of the valves. This prevents substantial water damages from occurring.

Why Must I Stress over This?

Specialist servicemen will shut off these shutoffs when there are repairs in local lines. Your shower room sink is damaged, so you can easily locate the shut-off valve below the sink. Nonetheless, for major leaks, you need to shut the mainline shut-off shutoff. It is likewise excellent technique to turn this off if you will be away for getaway.

The longer you wait to close the shut-off valve, the much more comprehensive the damage will be. You may not have sufficient time to figure out how to shut the valves when you're worrying among an emergency.

What Does the Shut-Off Shutoff Resemble?

This is normally a knob that permits you to switch off the water for a details device, a local location (for instance the whole second floor), or for the whole residential or commercial property. It is necessary to know where these shutoffs are, so when something emerge in any type of area of your home, you can shut it immediately. This will aid you prevent considerable water damage that will certainly set you back thousands to repair.

Where are These Situated?

Your best bet is to call a water repair solutions company for assistance. If you have a fairly moderate-sized home, try looking for a knob or lever.

On the perimeter wall surface

If you have a basement, browse at the eye level

If you are on the ground flooring, look for it on a lower flooring

The main shut-off shutoff is generally near the outside water meter

Under the sink

Beside the hot water heater

Usually, home builders install the shutoffs near or within the primary, ground-floor washrooms. The valves are supposed to be noticeable, some pick to camouflage them for visual reasons.

When to Call a Specialist?

Need to the previously mentioned be the case for your local valves, you have nothing else option but to shut off the major water line, cutting the source of water in your whole home. Then call the plumber to evaluate the trouble as well as shut down the shutoff because location just so you can make use of the remainder of the plumbing in other locations of your residence.

Keep in mind, these valves are lifesavers and crucial for any type of plumbing repair work. In the occasion of a plumbing emergency, closed down these valves to protect against issues that call a credible water damage restoration carrier.


The plumbing system of your house is an elaborate network of pipelines as well as shut-off shutoffs. In the event of an emergency, you can reduce the water using the shutoffs. The longer you wait to close the shut-off shutoff, the much more considerable the damage will certainly be. It is necessary to know where these shutoffs are, so when something crops up in any area of your home, you can close it right away. In the occasion of a plumbing emergency, shut down these shutoffs to prevent difficulties that call a respectable water damage reconstruction company.

How to Find a Water Shut-off Valve Outside

Why Do You Need to Shut-off the Main Water Valve?

The pressure that keeps home faucets and appliances running does not stop when there’s a water line break. This means the water will continue to flow until the valve is shut off. A typical water pipe can carry 10 to15 gallons per minute, which is enough water to run a full cycle of laundry in the washing machine. Now, picture that amount of water soaking into your carpet and walls every minute. Not a pretty sight!

In a panic-stricken state with water flowing around you, it’s unlikely you will want to stop and take the time to figure out where the valve is. Identifying it now will provide you with peace of mind and a swift action plan if the worst happens.

Finding the Water Shut-off Valve

Where is my main water valve? Your home has shut-off valves for individual appliances as well as one inside the perimeter of your home. If you aren’t sure where it’s located inside, or the problem is related to the mainline instead of an appliance, you will save time by going directly to the outside shut-off valve.

If you have municipal water service, here’s how to find your outside water shut-off valve:

Look for a rectangular or round cover that will be near the edge of your property, often between the curb and the sidewalk. Some water main valves are located along an alley, rather than the street. The cover may be metal or plastic, and it might say “water meter” to help with identification.

Open the cover to the meter to find the water shut-off valve.

If you have a private well, there may be a shut-off valve on or near your pressure tank.

In either case, you can also typically find a shut-off valve in a utility space of the house where the water line enters the home. Some homes with municipal water service may have a shut-off valve on an exterior wall near the water meter.

If you’re struggling with finding the water shut-off valve, you can check your home's property inspection report that you received when you purchased your home. Check the plumbing section of the report, which will identify the location of the valve along with a photo to guide you in the search.

How to Shut Off the Water Valve

To shut off an outside main water valve, you may need a couple of tools:

If a security bolt is holding the cover down, you will need a socket wrench to remove the security bolt. Or, you may need to contact the municipal water supply provider to unlock the cover.

You may need to pry the cover off with a screwdriver.

For many water main valves, a water meter key is the ideal tool for adjusting the valve.

If you don’t have a water meter key, channel locks will work.

Once you have removed the cover, look inside the compartment to find the residential water supply shut-off valve, which will be the one located closest to your house. To turn off the valve, you can use a meter key or twist the valve closed with pliers. To stop the water flow to your home, turn the shut-off valve clockwise.

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