Issues with water can be a nightmare if you don’t know where the main water shut-off valve is in your home, leaving you with a real mess on your hands. You absolutely need to know where it is if there’s ever a serious water problem in your home. Water passes through city-installed valves until it gets to your home. The main water shut-off valve allows full flow of water through the pipe when it’s open. When this valve is turned counterclockwise it will cut off the water supply to the house.
Water Shut Off Valve Types
The shut-off valve in your home has one of two designs;
• Ball valve– Houses that have plastic or copper pipes typically have a full-flow valve. The valve is open when the handle is aligned with the pipe. To close it, turn the handle ¼ turn so it’s at a right angle to the pipe.
• Gate valve– These valves can last a long time but can be hard to turn off if it hasn’t been done for many years. If you can’t remember the last time you needed to turn it off, then you should go see if you even can or you might be standing in 6 inches of water the next time you have a leak.
How to Find Main Water Shut-Off Valve
• The shut-off valve is almost always found close to the perimeter of the house. You will not find it in the center portion of the house.
• Shut-off valves are always located in the ground floor so don’t look for it upstairs. If you have a basement that’s where you’ll find it.
• Water lines almost always run from the water main to the shut-off valve without detours in the piping. The shortest path to your home is straight from the water main and where the valve should be.
• The location of the main water shut-off valve is always stated in the inspection report for your home when you bought it. This is another way to locate it.
• Every home has a panel that houses the shut-off valve. It’s not like the electrical one and is not covered behind a wall because it’s illegal to do so.
Plumbing Shut-Off Valves for Toilets, Faucets & Other Fixtures
Leaks don’t always start as a trickle. The water can start to gush out quickly and you’ll have a pool of water in no time. Look to see if there’s a personal shut-off valve for the fixture before you run to the turn off the main water valve.
• Sink– In the cabinet under the sink there will be a shut-off valve. When you’re experiencing a pipe or faucet leak, turn the handle clockwise to temporarily stop any water from leaking.
• Toilet– There is a small valve that sits behind the toilet, against the wall. It usually sits just below the bowl and needs to be turned clockwise gently to suspend the water flow.
• Washing Machine– There are two valves behind every washing machine. These valves need to be turned clockwise to stop any water flow. If you can’t easily see these valves, then you’ll need to pull the washing machine out to get access to them.
Plumbing Emergency Services in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas
You can do a lot to prevent leaking water from causing a lot of damage to your home if you know where the main water shut-off valve is. If you need help with any plumbing issues, contact Orsack Plumbing for reliable plumbing services.
