Locating and Isolating Main Water Shut Off Valve

Many people have never been given the knowledge of locating their houses main water shut off valve. This article was written to supply homeowners the necessary knowledge to locate and isolate your homes water system. The information provided should be helpful in the event of a leak and you need to isolate the system immediately, and/ or for the need to isolate for a repair or addition of a fixture.

To find you homes main water valve, we must first locate the water meter on the exterior of the home. Once you have found the meter, you now know the entry point of the water piping and the side of the house it is located on. Go into the lowest point of your home on the entry side of the water piping that you just located. Now, look for any piping (usually 3/4-1″ copper pipe) coming through the concrete slab, flooring, or wall. Normally this piping and valve is located near the water heater, HVAC system or laundry. Once you find the piping you will notice a valve withing a foot or two of its visibility, this is your houses main water shut off valve. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU FOUND IT!!

The main water shut off valve will be either a ball valve or a gate valve (See below for examples). You are able to isolate a ball valve by turning the handle 90 degrees, or so that the valve is opposite the piping flow direction. If your home has a gate valve you will have a handle, much like your hose bibb, merely take the handle and turn it clockwise until it stops. If it is hard to turn at first, you will need to turn it back and forth a few times to free up the internal workings and any corrosion or debris. Now you are able to isolate your houses water from its incoming source (Well or City) anytime you need. If you have a well water source you will need to turn off the breaker to the well pump as well. (If you come across any issues and you cannot find the breaker, you will need to contact an electrician.)

As stated above, shutting off the your homes water system could be for a variety of reasons. Maybe you need to have the water shut off immediately due to a water leak somewhere in the house. Too many homeowners see the problem, do not know how to isolate the system and call a plumber. By doing that you are allow the leak to continue for the amount of time it takes the plumber or insurance response team to act. This ALWAYS causes loads of unnecessary damage that did not need to be caused if the homeowner was informed. Let’s face it, problems happen and leaks will come about but being prepared for the situation will help you address it immediately. You may not have a leak but would like to add a sink or change your toilets angle stop, by having this knowledge you are prepared for either situation.

Gate Valve

Ball Valve

For more information on this or other residential issues contact Revived Real Estate at info@revivedrealestateva.com. If you ever run across an issue or problem the is too much to handle contact us at Revived Real Estate for a FREE, No Obligation Estimate.