How to Locate & Operate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
Knowing how to shut off your home’s main water supply is just as important as knowing how to reset a circuit breaker, particularly in situations that require an appointment with an emergency plumber. Here Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc., discusses how to locate your home’s main water shut-off valve and why this is important.
Locating the Main Water Shut-Off Valve
The main water shut-off valve can be used to shut off the main water supply that goes into your home. While every home is required to have one, it’s not always in the same location. It could be located indoors, outdoors, underground inside a “pit” or right at the property line. The following are some of the common indoor locations of the shut-off valve:
Basement — The shut-off valve is usually located near the front foundation wall within three to five feet of where the main water line enters the perimeter. It may be situated near the water heater, kitchen sink or high efficiency furnace.
Crawl space — Homes built with a crawl space may have the main shut-off valve in this space, which can be difficult to access without the aid of a plumbing professional. If this is the case, you might want to consider having a secondary valve installed that can be accessed within the house.
Slab-on-grade construction — Houses with slab-on-grade foundations typically have a shut-off valve located near the water heater or under the kitchen sink.
Why Do You Need to Locate the Main Water Shut-Off Valve?
You may need to turn off the water supply that leads into your home in case of a plumbing installation or repair, when installing a new water heater or in case of emergencies such as clogged toilets. Even when working with a plumber that offers emergency services, shutting off your home’s water supply can help reduce potential damage caused by flooding.
Round “wheel” valves can be shut off by turning the handle clockwise. Some types of round valves may take two full turns to fully close. Don’t over-torque or apply too much force to the valve, as this can result in damage. If the shut-off valve has a lever, give it a slow clockwise quarter- turn. Some types of lever shut-off valves have a notch that clicks when it’s in the right position.
Call Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for Your Plumbing & HVAC Needs
Do you have questions about our plumbing services or need a new furnace cost estimate? If so, call Countryside Plumbing & Heating, Inc. at (715) 246-2660. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
