Ball valves have a handle that runs perpendicular to the pipe when closed. Discovering a leaking pipe can initially cause panic, but armed with these quick fixes, you can solve the problem temporarily until you can seek professional help. For ball valves, turn the lever clockwise 90 degrees. Before you head out of town for an extended period of time, its a good idea to shut off the water main, i.e. During a bigger storm or prolonged periods of precipitation, thats an awful lot of water around the foundation of your home. If you suspect one of your pipes might be leaking, AHS will guide you through how to detect and repair leaking pipes. Call (855) 982-2028 or visit our website https://www.mrrooter.com/ to learn more! Typically, it will be located on the perimeter of the house, since that is where the water first enters your house. Chances are, there will come a time when youll have to turn off the water supply to your home: You may need to do so for a scheduled plumbing repair, or before leaving on a long trip. Locating the main water shut-off valve sounds like a really easy process, but it can actually be a real challenge. Turning off the water to your house is super easy to do, anyone in your home can. If a plumbing fitting starts to leak or a pipe ruptures, it can result in extensive water damage, costly repairs, and ongoing issues with mold and mildew growth. These valves are commonly found in homes with copper or plastic main water pipes. Why would you want to shut off the main water supply valve? The town usually charges 80 bucks to turn off your water. Here's a quick tip for you homeowners out there. Inspect the area around your water valve and bleeder cap to make sure there are no leaks in the surrounding pipe. So how do you. Sure, Where is the water shut-off valve? may not be the first question you ask when you purchase a new home. Most homes have one or two hose bibsalso known as a spigot, house faucet, outdoor tap, or whatever nickname you've given itto access outdoor water. 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.) Since it is not advisable to tamper with the city's . You'll know it's still open if you switch on the main valve and find water shooting through this cap. This video will show you how to locate the water meter, turn the water meter off, and the tools used to shut it off. {{ tocState.toggleTocShowMore ? Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. So before you leave for a vacation, take a walk around the house and check your gutters. In either case, you can also typically find a shut-off valve in a utility space of the house where the water line enters the home. In fact, many likely never got upgraded orr they did have a main shut-off located somewhere in the yard, but its been covered by grass and lost to time. Check outside the house next. Your home's water supply should now be off. 4. This compensation comes from two main sources. How to Turn off the Water for Plumbing Repairs - The Spruce Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. 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. These are designed to be fully open or fully closed. It was likely left open to drain any remaining water in the winter. 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. Last but not least, attach your garden hose to the spigot and let the water flow. THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. 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. The pipes are often much longer than standard ones, but it can be tricky to tell the difference at first glance. 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. So always close the supply shutoff valve inside the house before you leave the house and even when youre not using the faucet during the winter. A water flow sensorhelps protect your home from water damage by monitoring water flow and shutting off the water supply if the flow exceeds a specified amount. Before heading inside to look for your water controls, make sure your hose bib is closed. Although most, if not all, of your accessories have their own shut-off valves located close to them (such as your water heaters shut-off valve), there is a way to ensure all the houses plumbing is turned off at one time. Otherwise, it's best to fully drain and shut down your outside spigot in the winter to avoid cracking a pipe. Working Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0 Types of Water Valves Photo: istockphoto.com There are a wide variety of valves that are used in. After turning off the supply shutoff, open the outside faucets to drain the remaining water out of the pipes. Here's a quick tip for homeowners out there. 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. If you are unable to remove your access panel with home tools, you can purchase a meter key at most home improvement stores. American Home Shield, AHS, Be sure with the Shield and the shield logo are registered trademarks of American Home Shield Corporation. Locating water shut-off valves indoors can be a bit tricky. If you remove them while you mow the yard, make sure to immediately reattach them. Go slow and do your best to avoid squeezing too tightly, applying too much force to the stem, or otherwise damaging the valve. On this channel, it's ALL about plumbing. Turn on a faucet somewhere in the house and shut off the main water valve. 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. How Do I Shut Off the Main Water Supply to My House? - YouTube If you find any leaks, cracks, bulges or signs of corrosion, its a good idea to replace the lines immediately. 2023 American Home Shield Corporation. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed plumbers near you. Having trouble finding your spigot? They even prevent mice from gnawing through the lines. Just keep in mind that if you apply too much pressure to the valve, you can break the handle or the stem. Locate Your Water Shut-Off Every home is a little bit different in the placement of its water supply shut-off. How to Shut Your Home's Water Off - Plano Magazine If you dont know where to find it, call a plumber. Read on to find out what you need to know about your homes main water shut-off valve. Most homes have one or two hose bibsalso known as a spigot, house faucet, outdoor tap, or whatever nickname you've given itto access outdoor water. This valve is usually found on the pipe that belongs to the water company. In most cases, the valve is located near the perimeter of your house. You can also find it near the exterior wall of your house. If you need to find your water shut-off valve or meter (or have any other plumbing problem), call on a professional from Mr. Rooter Plumbing. How to Shut Off Main Water Supply Valve Without Special Tools To turn the water supply off, give a gate valve a few turns clockwise until you cant turn it any longer. We do not present information about every offer available. 1.5K 499K views 5 years ago Shutting your water off at the curb is simple when you know what to do. An old gate valve can break, so be gentle when you're handling it. If it doesnt, be sure the sump pump is plugged in and check the breaker as well. If it remains seized, then you will need to speak to a plumber to have the main valve repaired before proceeding. Theylast longer than rubber or plastic versions and are less likely to leak. Not only is the main water supply valve for a house usually buried underground, the valve usually does not have a handle and it is likely very tight. Some homes with municipal water service may have a shut-off . This requires a special tool to access this valve. She previously edited home repair and design content at The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. How to Find Your Home's Main Water Shut Off Valve - The Spruce Timothy Dale, Katelin Hill, 10 Emergency Plumbing Tools All Homeowners Should Have on Hand. 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. Its the rare problem that requires you to call a plumbing professional simply to turn the water off to your home, but if youve attempted the job and cant manage it due to a stuck valve, or simply the lack of proper access, calling a plumber will save a lot of time. Begin by removing the covers that protected the bib over the winter. Head back to your outdoor spigot and ensure there are no leaks on this end of the pipe as well. If thats the case, be sure to have the citys phone number on hand, so a technician can quickly come turn the water valve off at the street during an emergency. You want to keep things warm enough inside the house so that water pipes running through exterior walls dont freeze and burst. Sometimes houses have multiple shut-offs for different branches of plumbing, as well. You may need a key, a long-handle wrench, to be able to reach down to the valve and turn the water on and off. Also, make sure the outlet pipe isnt frozen or clogged and that it directs water away from your home. Look for a round or rectangular metal cover labeled "water meter" that sits flush with the sidewalk or grass. Samantha covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. Whether it is on the street or in the basement, you can turn this valve off to shut off the water to your house. The city's valve is always located on the streetside of your water meter, often near the edge of your yard. There are many reasons to turn off the water to your house. If the main shutoff valve is stuck or seized, you can attempt to loosen it with a set of channel locks or a pipe wrench. Every home is a little bit different in the placement of its water supply shut-off. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. the line to your house. It is essential to know where the valves are, and how to turn them.Turn off a valve with a key. The main water shutoff valve is usually located on the main water line, where it enters the home. Gate valves are common in older homes. All water flow should stop. If it is a circular valve, turn it clockwise until it is closed. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. These valves are designed for simple manual hand turning, but if you are having trouble turning it or if the valve is completely seized, you may need to use a channel lock wrench or pipe wrench. 1. Knowing how to turn off the water to the house can save you a lot of money. These have a lever handle that needs to be turned 90 degrees to turn the water on or off. I also noticed that if I shut off the main water supply, I can drain the remaining water in the pipes by opening a valve at a low point of the house such as the garden hose. Youll need to contact your municipality to ensure its legal to shut this valve off, as there are some places where its still not allowed except in an extreme emergency.