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How Do I Shutoff Important
Valves Around My Home?
All homeowners know that
if anything in the home can go wrong, it
will happen at a most inconvenient time.
Plumbing is no exception. At your
sleepiest, busiest, most tired moment, the
toilet begins to overflow and no amount of
jiggling of the control handle stops the
water from edging toward wall-to-wall
carpeting. Or it may be the sudden
bursting of a pipe, or an out-of -control
faucet. Such emergencies are inconvenient
and can cause expensive damage if
corrective action is not taken
immediately. It is as simple as 1-2-3 to
prepare for plumbing emergencies. A few
minutes of your time now could be
insurance for future security, and trouble
free performance of your water system.
Locate & Test Every Valve
You are ready for any water emergency when
you know where valves are located for all
your faucets and appliances. Plan a family
house tour with husband, wife and older
children. All should know what to do if
water emergencies arise when they are
alone in the house. Start with the main
water line valve, which totally controls
the flow of water in your home. Usually,
it is in the basement on the pipeline
coming through the wall on the street side
of your house. Find the valve, be sure it
operates freely, and apply the tag to the
main water line. If it is especially hard
to find, place a second tag in a more
visible spot. Continue the same procedure
with the kitchen. Find the valves below
the sink and test to see if they open and
close easily. It is especially important
to make this check because over a period
of time a valve can become "frozen" if not
used for years. Usually a wrench applied
to the control wheel will free up the
valve. Do this carefully to avoid breaking
the control head. If the control wheel
just can't be moved, it is usually best to
have it serviced by your plumber. Until
this is done, make a mental note to shut
off the main water line valve if this
section of your plumbing gives you
trouble. Check for possible leaks around
the stem after moving and freeing the
valve. Applying a wrench to the cap or
packing nut can stop minor leakage. Here
is a plumbing tip: when you open any
valve, open it all the way then turn it
back the other direction slightly. This
will help prevent it from sticking in the
open position. Finally, apply a tag "Hot
Water" and "Cold Water " to the control
valves. Continue the water tour-- the
bathroom or bathrooms, hot water heating
system, water heater and water softener--
every place in the home where water is
used. Label all valves with the proper
identification tags. To repeat, locating
the main shutoff valve is especially
important because when closed, it stops
all water throughout the house in seconds.
Be sure that everyone, including the
children, knows where this vital control
is located.
Lavatory Sink Shutoff Valves
The lavatory valves usually are below the
fixture for easy access. With a wrench,
turn this valve clockwise until it stops
for complete shutoff.
Kitchen Sink Shutoff Valves
Below your kitchen sink you will probably
find shutoff valves for both the hot and
cold water. In some cases, the valves will
be below the kitchen in the basement.
Sometimes valves are installed both below
the sink and also in the basement.
Main Gas Shutoff Valves
Typically your main gas shutoff valve is
in one of two places. It is going to be in
an underground vault at the curb or
somewhere on the side of you house. Turn
off your gas meter ONLY if you smell gas
or hear the hissing sound of gas escaping.
As you face the meter, you will see a pipe
running from the ground to the meter.
There is a shut-off valve running parallel
with the pipe usually located about 6 to 8
inches above the ground. Take a 10 "or 12"
adjustable wrench and turn the valve 1/4
turn in either direction, until the valve
is crosswise to the pipe.
Main Water Shutoff Valves
The water line coming in from the street
is often connected to the water meter
followed by a master shutoff valve for the
entire home. Close this one valve and you
have shut off water throughout the house--
it's instant action for serious
emergencies. If you need to shut off the
water at the main valve make sure the hot
water tank is turned down to pilot.
Electric hot water tanks require special
attention, and it is best to enlist the
aid of a plumbing and heating
professional. However, if the emergency
calls for the main water system to be shut
off, the electric water system must also
be shut off. The electric can be shut off
at the main electrical fuse box by either
removing the fuse from the box or
switching the breaker to an "off
"position. (Check and see if your breakers
are labeled.) The electricity to the hot
water tank should not be turned on until
the water tank has been refilled with
water--see the owner's manual that comes
with the electric hot water heater.
To turn off this valve, turn the handle
clockwise until it stops.
Washing Machine Shutoff Valves
There should be individual shutoff valves
for both the hot and the cold water lines.
Typically the handles are round, although
they can be a lever handle. These valves
also turn off clockwise. They will often
turn several revolutions before they reach
the “off” position. If while turning these
valves off, they are frozen, they won't
shut off completely or water leaks out the
handle, contact your plumber.
TIP! A burst washing machine hose causes
72% of water damage. We recommend that you
turn these valves off when not in use to
prevent possible flooding.
Water Closet Shutoff Valves
Your water closet shutoff valve is
commonly located on the back wall,
approximately 6” above the ground, on the
left side as you face the toilet. To turn
off this valve in the event of a leak or
repair, turn the valve clockwise until it
stops.
If you are looking for a
plumber in the San Gabriel Valley, please call us
today at 626-359-1864 or complete our
online service request form.
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