Reasons to Know Water Shut-Off Valve: Uncover the Crucial Facts

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The plumbing system of your home is a detailed network of pipelines and shut-off shutoffs. In the event of an emergency, you can cut the water utilizing the valves.

Why Must I Bother with This?

Your restroom sink is defective, so you can easily find the shut-off shutoff underneath the sink. For significant leaks, you must close the mainline shut-off valve.

The longer you wait to close the shut-off valve, the extra considerable the damages will certainly be. You might not have enough time to figure out how to close the valves when you're panicking amidst an emergency.

What Does the Shut-Off Valve Look Like?

This is generally a knob that allows you to shut off the water for a certain device, a local area (for example the entire 2nd floor), or for the whole residential property. It is essential to recognize where these shutoffs are, so when something surface in any kind of area of your house, you can close it immediately. This will assist you prevent substantial water damages that will certainly set you back thousands to fix.

Where are These Found?

It might be challenging to find them, particularly if your property is big. Your best option is to call a water remediation services business for advice. If you have a relatively moderate-sized home, attempt looking for a knob or bar. This is generally found in the following locations:

On the perimeter wall surface

Search at the eye degree if you have a cellar

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

The major shut-off shutoff is usually near the outside water meter

Under the sink

Next to the water heater

It should be shown in those papers if you have a residence assessment report from when you got your home. Nevertheless, if you developed it from the ground up, it should remain in the plans. Usually, builders set up the valves near or within the main, ground-floor washrooms. The shutoffs are supposed to be visible, some select to camouflage them for visual reasons.

When to Call a Professional?

Must the abovementioned be the case for your localized shutoffs, you have no other option yet to shut down the major water line, reducing the resource of water in your whole home. Then call the plumber to inspect the problem and also shut down the valve in that area just so you can utilize the rest of the plumbing in other areas of your residence.

Bear in mind, these valves are lifesavers and essential for any kind of plumbing fixing. In the event of a plumbing emergency, shut down these shutoffs to stop complications that call a credible water damage remediation company.


The plumbing system of your residence is an elaborate network of pipes and also shut-off valves. In the event of an emergency, you can reduce the water using the shutoffs. The longer you wait to close the shut-off valve, the a lot more considerable the damage will certainly be. It is vital to know where these valves are, so when something plants up in any area of your house, you can close it right away. In the event of a plumbing emergency, shut down these valves to stop complications that call a respectable water damages restoration service provider.

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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