If you live in the city of Bellflower, Long Beach, or the surrounding areas, it’s important to know how to locate your home’s main water shut-off valve. This essential valve facilitates the water supply that flows to your home’s plumbing system, fixtures, and appliances. In the event of a major leak or other emergency, you may need to be able to locate and shut off this valve to prevent wasting water and causing further water damage.
The experienced team at PDS Plumbing and Air has some valuable tips to help you understand the importance of this valve, including where to locate it, how to turn it off, and more.
What Is the Main Water Shut-Off Valve?
The main water shut-off valve in your house is a valve or knob that controls the entire water supply to your home. This valve is typically either a lever-operated ball valve or a wheel-shaped handled gate valve. It stops the flow of water during plumbing services, allowing plumbers to perform repairs and maintenance tasks safely. Knowing how to locate your water shut-off valve and operate it effectively helps prevent significant leaks and major water damage.
Common Places To Find the Water Shut-Off Valve in a House
Before learning how to turn off the water main, you need to know where to locate the valve. Here are some common areas where you may find your home’s water shut-off valve:
- Basement or crawl space: The valve may be located where the water line first enters your home, either inside the basement or near a crawl space, usually at the front side of your foundation.
- Near the well: If your home has a well, the valve could be directly attached to it.
- Exterior wall or garage: In certain homes, the valve may be located on an interior wall inside the garage or on an exterior wall on the side of the house facing the street.
- Near the water meter: Some water shut-off valves are located near your water meter, or they may be buried in a box underground near the street or property line.
- Near the water heater: In many modern homes, the water main shut-off valve is located next to the water heater in a dedicated utility or laundry room.
Tips for finding the main water shut-off valve
Here are some tips to help you locate your home’s main water shut-off valve:
- Locate the water meter or find where the water line enters your home, and follow the water line to the valve.
- If your home has a basement or crawl space, check if the water shut-off valve is located there. If you have a slab foundation, the valve may be found near the water heater or under the kitchen sink.
- To make identifying the valve easier, a ball valve features a lever-style handle, while a gate valve is round with a wheel-like handle that measures between two and four inches in diameter.
How To Turn Off the Water Main
Here are the steps to follow if you need to know how to turn off the water supply to your house:
- Step one: Locate the main water shut-off valve in your basement or crawl space, near the water heater, in your garage, on an exterior wall, or at the water main box buried in your yard.
- Step two: Determine the type of water main shut-off valve you have, whether it’s a ball valve or a gate valve.
- Step three: If the valve is located in the water meter box, open the box and use a curb key, which looks like a large metal “T” with a notch at the bottom end. Use the tool to turn the valve in a clockwise direction until it stops.
- Step four: For homes with a well, switch off the breaker to the well pump and remove the cover to the pressure switch before turning the valve off.
- Step five: If you have a wheel-style valve, turn the valve clockwise until it can’t be turned any further.
- Step six: If you have a ball valve, turn the straight handle a quarter-turn clockwise until it’s perpendicular to the pipe attached to it.
- Step seven: Once you’ve turned off the water supply, go to the highest point in your home and turn the hot and cold faucets on to drain excess water and relieve pressure.
- Step eight: After the water is off and the problem is resolved, slowly turn the valve back in the other direction to turn your water back on. Allow the water to come out of the faucet until it runs clear and steady.
When Should You Shut Off the Water Supply?
There are several circumstances when you should turn off the water supply to your home.
When you go on vacation
Turning off your main water valve when you go on vacation can help conserve water and prevent waste. This simple step can save you money and give you peace of mind by preventing leaks and other plumbing emergencies while you’re away.
When winterizing your home
Shutting off the main water valve and draining your pipes helps prevent pipe freezing and bursting, which often occurs during periods of extreme cold. The water inside your pipes freezes and expands, causing the pipes to burst or leak.
During repairs or maintenance
Whether you receive Bellflower HVAC and plumbing repairs or maintenance services, you should always turn off the main water supply before work begins. This ensures that plumbers can work safely without excess water flowing to the area where work is performed, preventing flooding from occurring.
Troubleshooting Shut-Off Valve Problems
Follow these troubleshooting tips if you experience a problem with your water shut-off valve:
- If the valve is difficult to turn, try applying a lubricant, then attempt to turn it again.
- Leaking or corroded valves may need to be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled.
- If the valve is damaged, contact the professionals at PDS for expert repair or replacement.
Contact PDS Plumbing and Air for Plumbing Services
Knowing how to locate and turn off the main water shut-off valve in your home is an important step to prevent flooding and water damage. The professionals at PDS Plumbing and Air are available to assist you with your plumbing needs in Clovis, Long Beach, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off the water supply to my house in an emergency?
To turn off your water supply in an emergency, first locate the main water shut-off valve. Once you find it, turn the valve counterclockwise until it stops if you have a wheel valve, or turn it one-quarter if you have a ball valve.
What if I can’t find or operate my shut-off valve?
If you can’t operate the shut-off valve, try applying some lubricant to see if that helps make turning it easier. If that doesn’t work, contact the experts at PDS Plumbing and Air as soon as possible for a repair or replacement.
Is the water shut-off valve the same as individual fixture shut-offs?
Water shut-off valves and fixture shut-offs aren’t the same. The main valve turns off the entire water supply, while fixture shut-offs are typically attached to each specific fixture and only shut off the water to that individual fixture or appliance.
