how to find main water line into house

In case of a plumbing emergency, it is always a good idea to know how (and where) to turn off your main water supply – every bit well as the individual valves on your various plumbing fixtures. If a water line ruptures, or a pipe bursts it tin can cause a lot of damage and potentially toll you thousands in water damage and water bills.

In severe cold weather, the h2o in your pipes can freeze. When water freezes, it expands and can burst the pipe, not matter how thick or strong information technology may be. To prevent this, you tin winterize a home. But, if it'south as well tardily and the pipage has already flare-up, turn off your master water valve as fast equally you can to prevent further damages.

Having the knowledge of how and where to turn off your water could prevent harm to your dwelling house and allow a wider window of time for help to get in if needed. Anybody in your home should know exactly where the h2o shutoff valve is located and how to plow it off.

Additionally, if you are going to be away from your abode for a trip, it is highly recommended that you turn off the primary water valve.

Where is the primary water shutoff valve located?

This is the million-dollar question. Your main water shutoff valve could be located in several different areas. If y'all have a home with a basement and crawlspace, it is probably located on an interior wall nigh the forepart of the house, where the water comes in from the h2o meter. In this case, it is most probable hiding in plainly sight. If your domicile was built on a slab, the valve might be located near the hot h2o heater or inside your garage.

Where is the main water shutoff valve located?

WARNING: Never touch on the pressure regulator, located only higher up the shutoff valve. Only a licensed plumber should adjust your h2o force per unit area.

If the valve can't be found inside the home, the next location to check is near the end of your belongings line (or street) in a covered box within a "pit" underground. This is normally a cement box buried in the ground near your front curb; however, you may need a special "meter key" (bachelor at local hardware stores, like Ace Hardware, Lowe's, and Home Depot) to open the box.

Once you lot fit the meter key into the "lock", turn it counter-clockwise, and then tilt the fundamental toward the outer edge of the box to lift the lid open. Be conscientious when opening the box. Sometimes, pocket-size critters, reptiles, bugs, and other surprises are waiting for you.

open water meter box

In some cases, all you demand to open the water meter box is a long screwdriver.

One time y'all have located, opened, and cleared away whatever dirt or droppings, it volition probably look something like this:

Your Water Meter - Mount Pleasant Waterworks

The water meter should also be able to tell you lot if you take a plumbing leak somewhere in your home.

WARNING: practice Non tamper with the city shut-off side or the meter itself. It is illegal to tamper with, obstruct access to, or remove a h2o meter. Exist very conscientious, and if you lot have any doubts at all, call your local plumber or utility company.

If you lot are still unable to locate your valve, your trusted local plumber or utility company should exist able to tell you lot where it is. Also, if you still accept your property inspection report, you should exist able to discover the area of the document that shows you where your chief water shutoff valve is located.

How to Turn Off Main Water Valve

Once you find the shutoff valve you will either hand turn it (clockwise for gate valves and perpendicular to the pipe for ball valves) or utilize the appropriate tool depending on the design.

WARNING: old h2o valves can be damaged and corroded. Only use your hand to turn your water valves on or off. If you cannot do information technology by hand, phone call a professional plumber.

Ball & Gate Valves

ball and gate plumbing valves

Ball Valve Shutoff

how to turn off ball valve

If it is located inside your house, it will most likely exist a gate or "wheel" valve that you lot'll simply plough clockwise to finish the flow of water. Another mode to shut off the h2o is to become to the water meter box. Just be conscientious not to mess with the city shutoff side of the meter.

After you successfully plow the water off, it'due south important to release pressure from your pipes by turning on the hot and cold faucets in your abode.

Where are the isolation valves?

Isolation shutoff valves are much easier to locate. Most essential home plumbing fixtures have dissever valves that control the h2o flow. Sinks, toilets, water heaters, and washing machines should have a small valve located about the plumbing that tin can easily shut off the individual water supply.

water heater shutoff valve

faucet water shutoff valve

Simply turning the valve clockwise will turn off the water flow. Sink and toilet issues can exist dealt with speedily by simply shutting off the supply this manner. It's always practiced to test the isolation valves periodically to make certain they are working properly.

Again, once your tighten the water shutoff valves and turn off the water, open upwardly your hot and common cold lines to release pressure and examination if the water is indeed off.

Make information technology a priority to locate the water valves in your abode – and go along plumbing problems from turning into plush repair situations.

If you have whatever further questions almost locating and shutting off your main water valve, don't hesitate to contact Graham-Simon Plumbing, your local plumbing specialists.

The all-time way to maintain a good for you plumbing arrangement is to have periodic maintenance checks conducted by a professional person. Your licensed plumber will be able to conduct a full inspection of your plumbing system to identify potential risks before they turn into costly issues.