Imagine walking into a room and finding an inch of water pooling on the ground. The plumbing moved beyond a tiny crack to a full-blown leak. Water is freely flowing everywhere. If you’re faced with this scenario and wondering how to fix the plumbing leak, it’s crucial to act fast.
Water is one of the most damaging forces in your home. The quicker you take action, the quicker you can stop the water supply, the better chance you have of making a full recovery.
Where Is the Main Water Shut-off Valve in My House?
Every home is required to have a main water shut-off valve installed. In the event of plumbing emergencies or repairs, it’s crucial to turn off this valve to stop the water flow. Therefore, the first step is to know where to find the water main shut-off valve on your property.
Inside the Home
- Basement: If your home has a basement, the main water shut-off is usually on the front foundation wall, within 3 to 5 feet of where the main water pipe enters the home, either through the concrete floor or wall.
- Crawl Space: In homes with crawl spaces or slab foundations, the shut-off valve may be located just inside the crawl space or in a nearby utility area. If it's hard to access, consider installing a secondary shut-off valve in a more convenient location.
- Near Water Heaters: If the shut-off valve isn’t found near the front wall, check the mechanical room, or look near the water heater or furnace, where plumbing lines are often centralized.
- Under Sinks: In some older homes, you may find secondary shut-off valves located directly under sinks or near other plumbing fixtures. These local valves control water flow to specific fixtures, not the whole house like the main shut-off valve does.
Outside the Home
- Meter Pit: In homes with outdoor water meters, the main shut-off valve may be located in a protective case within a pit, often near the property line. This setup is common in warmer climates with underground plumbing.
- Curb Stop: This valve is located in an access box just outside the property line and is typically the responsibility of the city. Often called a curb stop or meter stop valve, it is used by the utility company to control water service to the property. It’s common in suburban and rural areas
Types of Water Shut Off Valves
Water shut-off valves may have either a round handle or a lever handle, depending on the type.
- Gate Valve: This valve typically has a round, wheel-like handle, similar to an outdoor hose spigot. When the valve is open, the handle is turned counterclockwise, and the rising stem is visibly higher than the handle.
- Ball Valve: This valve usually features a large, flat lever handle made of metal or plastic. When the lever is parallel to the pipe, the valve is usually open
How to Shut Off Main Water Valve
- Turn off the water
- When using a gate valve, turn the handle firmly to the right (clockwise) for at least two full rotations until it stops.
- When using a ball valve, rotate the lever a quarter turn (90 degrees) so it's perpendicular to the pipe
- Check that the water is shut off
- Open a tub or sink faucet (both hot and cold taps) on the highest pressure to ensure the water is fully shut off.
- Drain the plumbing
- Open additional faucets throughout the house to fully drain the water lines.
- Flush all toilets to empty their tanks
If your home has a fire sprinkler system, exercise caution when turning off any shut-off valve. Unless you're specifically working on the sprinkler system, only turn off the main plumbing supply to the house, leaving the sprinkler pipes active (or "live").
Have a plumbing problem? Give us a call today at (470) 264-8128 to learn more about our plumbing repair services.