How to Locate Your Home’s Main Water Shut Off
Knowing where your home’s main water supply is located and how to turn it off is as important as knowing where your electric circuit-breaker is. Plumbing emergencies happen- be sure you’re prepared as possible- continue reading to learn how to find and turn off your home’s water supply to limit damage from broken or leaky pipes.
Search for your house’s main water shut-off valve on the inside of the home. It will most likely be located on the perimeter of the house since that is where the water first enters your home. If you have a basement or crawlspace, the shut-off valve is probably located on a wall near the front of your home. If your home is built on a slab, check in the garage or near the water heater for the shut-off valve.
If the previous methods fail, there could be a valve located outside at the beginning of your water main, at the boundary line of your property and the street or sidewalk. If you still can’t find it, call Abel Plumbing for help.
How to Turn off the Main Water Line
If the valve is located inside:
Round wheel handle valves will turn off by turning the handle clockwise. It may take a turn or two.
Slowly turn level handle valves ¼ turn, until the handle is not parallel with the pipe.
Open a tub or sink faucet (hot and cold) to relieve pressure. Continue to open faucets throughout the home to drain down as needed.
If the valve is located outside you may need special tools or have to call your water company’s 24-hour emergency contact line. With the cover removed, look inside and locate the residential water supply shut-off valve. You may be able to twist the valve with an adjustable wrench but most likely will need a meter key. If you’re able to turn the valve, turn it clockwise all the way to bring the water flow to a standstill.
Shut Off Water Close to Source
If you’re only having a minor plumbing issue, your first option should be to shut off the water as close to the source as possible.
Toilet: Look under the toilet, against the wall, for flexible metal tubing. Turn the handle clockwise until the handle stops.
Sink: If you look under your sink, you will see two sets of flexible metal tubes. Turn the handles on both valves clockwise to shut them off.
Clothes Washer: Some houses have valves clearly exposed behind the washer. If this is the case, turn both valves clockwise to shut them off.
Now you know how to shut off the water to your home and individual appliances. We hope this comes in handy the next time you have a plumbing emergency. For more useful information, head to our Abel Plumbing blog! If you have a plumbing emergency reach out to us at (763)-682-4105