American Home Shield, AHS, Be sure with the Shield and the shield logo are registered trademarks of American Home Shield Corporation. MAWSS will send someone to shut your water off for you. Whether it is on the street or in the basement, you can turn this valve off to shut off the water to your house. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. If the valve is stuck, leave it alone. Most main water shut-off valves are located outside the home. The city's valve is always located on the streetside of your water meter, often near the edge of your yard. Samantha covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. If you do not have a tool to turn it off, you can use a key. RELATED: 10 Plumbing Tips Everyone Needs to Know, Working Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0. The main shutoff valve should have a red or green handle. A former greenhouse operator, Kristi is still an enthusiastic gardener, as well as an experienced garden writer. Choose from a list of top-rated plumbers with extensive knowledge and experience on Angi. It can save you money on water bills and prevent floods. In residential settings, these valves tend to range in size from -inch to 1 -inch, and they can be maneuvered by hand without using any tools. Supply lines that lead from shutoff valves to appliances, faucets and toilets made from rubber or plastic eventually become brittle, which can lead to leaks. There are two main shut-off types for main water valves: ball valves and gate valves. Sump pump systems help keep groundwater out of your basement. There are many reasons to turn off the water to your house. Thank you for your support! Clean the hole in the discharge line and check that the motor is running smoothly. To replace the supply lines we recommend one braided stainless steel hoses, which you can find at any home center. Locating water shut-off valves indoors can be a bit tricky. Today I am going to show you how to quickly fit this wrench and use it to shut off and re-open your main water supply valve without any special tools. Locating the main water shut-off valve sounds like a really easy process, but it can actually be a real challenge. Keep in mind that you may have separate hose bib valves if you have spigots on either side of your house. You may have a valve in your house that shuts off water to certain parts of the house, but you may not know where to find it. Here's a quick tip for you homeowners out there. Also, it prevents water damage and emergencies. Go inside and close the water valve by turning it clockwise or switching the lever perpendicular to the pipe. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Sometimes you can turn this valve off by hand, but you might need that special "key" or a pair of channel locks to turn it off. Find out more about how to operate this valve with the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. You can also find it near the exterior wall of your house. When to Shut Off Your Homes Water Supply, Instructions for Shutting Off Your Homes Water Supply, Tips for Locating the Main Water Shut-Off Valve, Things You Should Know About DIY Plumbing. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. This may be a lever or a regular circular-handle valve. After turning off the supply shutoff, open the outside faucets to drain the remaining water out of the pipes. Rather than let the water continue spewing out and making the damageand your cost to fix itworse while you wait for the plumber to come, youll want to close your inside main water valve to ensure the water stops flowing. Timothy Dale, Katelin Hill, 10 Emergency Plumbing Tools All Homeowners Should Have on Hand. Turning off the water to your house is super easy to do, anyone in your home can. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local Plumbers. this comprehensive post by the sell your house fast experts at Del Aria Investments & Holdings can help you locate it and help you turn it.How to switch off the water main shut-off valve. Lever valve controls supply to this water heater. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Turn on the faucet highest up and farthest away from the shut-off, as well as the one lowest in the system and closest to the shut-off, to allow as much water to drain out as possible. The valve should work properly without relying on any tools. This video will show you how to locate the water meter, turn the water meter off, and the tools used to shut it off. When you find it, take some time to inspect the valve for any problems. There are two types of water shut-off valves for typical city dwellings: the outside water shut-off valve controlled by the city and the one that you can control inside the house. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Youll get an alert if the sensor detects a problem. Sometimes its simply due to needing to make a plumbing repair where no adequate shut-off valves exist on the hardware youre working on. If youve never shut off the main water valve before, test it before you leave on vacation. Store the tools (crescent wrench and screwdriver or water meter key) in a safe, convenient place. 6. You have a burst pipe. In either case, its important to know how to turn off your homes water supply long before you actually need to do it. In warmer areas where freezing pipes isnt a concern, the main water shutoff might also be found outdoors on an exterior wall, or buried near the street. This simple trick can save you THOUSANDS of dollars in a plumbing emergency. Make sure to open both the hot and cold taps and run them until they empty completely. Here's a quick tip for you homeowners out there. This valve is usually found on the pipe that belongs to the water company. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. If you remove them while you mow the yard, make sure to immediately reattach them. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Theres no one universal spot in every house where water supply valves are located, so it could take some time to find themtime that you wont have if water is rapidly soaking through the second-floor ceiling. If you take a few minutes to learn the procedure now, you'll be ready to prevent a flood in your house. A gate valve will have a screw knob that you can turn to shut off the water; a ball valve has a lever that you must turn to turn off the water. Winterize your pipes and turn off your outdoor water before air temperatures consistently drop below zero. Theylast longer than rubber or plastic versions and are less likely to leak. When water stops flowing from your outdoor spigot, always begin by making sure it's been opened for the season. Open the cover to the meter to find the water shut-off valve. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. If the shut-off valve is not located indoors, you should go to the meter box and get a meter key. In this short video tutorial, City of Gresham Field Customer Service representative Eric Hanson. You might see an arrow on your valve pointing towards your home, turn the valve so that the arrow is pointing away from your home. If you left your frost-proof spigot on last winter, you dont need to take any action. How to make a special tool and shut off the main water to your home is covered in this video. In her down time, she's pretty much constantly transplanting spider plants. All water flow should stop. Need to turn the water main supply to your house off quickly? A lamp plugged into the sensor will turn on when the temperature inside the house falls below a certain level, alerting a neighbor to call you or a service person. Cover with an insulated cover for extra protection. Buildings without basements may find them in their crawlspace or a utility closet. You'll likely have one of two valve typesa gate valve or a ball valve with a lever. If it leaks or doesnt shut off all the way, have a licensed plumber replace the valve or replace it yourself if youre comfortable with a straightforward plumbing project. Your plumbing appliances each may have their own shut-offs, but there. This requires a special tool to access this valve. Grab a pair of pliers and turn this knob clockwise until it's shut. Just like knowing where your breaker box is located, knowing where your water shut-off valves are located and how to turn the water off will help sooth the situation should you have a plumbing emergency. Individual shutoff valves or stops are installed on the supply lines leading to most appliances as well as to toilets and faucets. Sometimes houses have multiple shut-offs for different branches of plumbing, as well. Need professional help with your project? If you dont already have one, its worth adding a backup battery to your sump pump so that it functions during power outages, which seem to go hand-in-hand with heavy rainstorms. Leave the faucet open while you work. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Never leave a hose connected to an outdoor faucet: It traps water in the faucet, which can freeze and crack open the faucet. However, if you have a tank-style water heater, then the water inside the tank may still flow out of the water heater. All water flow should stop. Look in these areas for your homes main water valve: The water main shutoff valve could be in a number of places, depending on the age of your home and the climate of your location. The pipes are often much longer than standard ones, but it can be tricky to tell the difference at first glance. Del Aria Investments Group4200 Parliament Pl Suite 430, Lanham, MD 20706(301) 297-3977https://delariainvestments.com/we-buy-houses-lanham-md, this comprehensive post by the sell your house fast experts at Del Aria Investments & Holdings, this we buy houses blog content by Del Aria Investments & Holdings. Need to turn the water main supply to your house off quickly? Why would you want to shut off the main water supply valve? Also make sure your downspout extensions are discharging the water far enough from the foundation. Before heading inside to look for your water controls, make sure your hose bib is closed. In older homes, finding a main water shut-off valve within the home is a bit trickier, as they werent necessarily standard and regulated when the plumbing was installed. How Much Does Ethernet Installation Cost? Ball valves, which contain a pivoting stainless steel ball with a hole drilled through the center, are less prone to wear. Before you head out of town for an extended period of time, its a good idea to shut off the water main, i.e. Gate valves have circular handles that you turn until it stops. Get plumbing warranty coverage, as well as water heater coverage, with one of our affordable home warranty plans. If it is a lever, pull it 90 degrees from its open position. She's helped solve problems with plants and insect pests for many years, as well as provide answers to those questions people always wonder about, but are too afraid to ask. But, the good news is that since the plumber is already out, you can have them install a much more convenient and easy-to-use shut-off valve for the future. Open your outdoor hose bib to release the final drops of water. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. The main water shutoff valve is usually located on the main water line, where it enters the home. Knowing how to shut this valve off will help prevent flood. So before you leave for a vacation, take a walk around the house and check your gutters. Now it's time to let the water flow freely to the pipe by turning the valve counterclockwise to open it. this we buy houses blog content by Del Aria Investments & Holdings have an indoor shutoff valve, while others have outdoor ones. You've learned how to turn off your home's water supply if necessary in an emergency. You're prepared to save your home and property from damage and contain your water bill in case of a water leak on your property--and save yourself a lot of stress.Follow me on the Socials! Then there are the emergency situations, such as when a pipe bursts somewhere behind the drywall or your bathroom is flooded with water, when youll need to cut the water offand fast. Since you switched the bib off earlier, you shouldn't see any water dripping from the spigot. These valves are commonly found in homes with copper or plastic main water pipes. Since it is not advisable to tamper with the citys valve, well only focus on locating your indoor valve. Show family members, too, where the valves are and how to cut them off quickly. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily. However, if its not so easy to locate, youll need to play plumbing detective. (Note that it wont be under a sink or next to the water heater.) 8 Tips to Keep Pipes From Freezing When Youre on Vacation, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Open a faucet on the lowest level of the home to drain any water remaining in the line. If you cant shut off the main water supply because you have an automatic sprinkler system or someone watering the plants while youre gone, shut off the valves to the most common sources of water damage such as dishwashers, icemakers and washing machines. The location of the valve is usually on the utility wall of the house, but you can also find one on the exterior wall, near the water meter. Also, make sure the outlet pipe isnt frozen or clogged and that it directs water away from your home. To shut off a water heater, turn off the cold water valve above the water heater. Learn how to spot the signs of rusty pipes and pipe corrosion, what you can repair yourself, and when it's time to call a professional. However, if the main shutoff valve doesnt work, the water can also be shut off outside at the curbstop, though most municipalities will only allow a licensed plumber or a city official to operate the emergency curbstop valve.