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You must be authorized by the local water utility to use this valve. Otherwise, you need to contact the utility directly to have them operate the valve. The main water shut-off valve, also known as the building control valve, is typically located in one of several common areas. The home infrastructure can provide clues to the valve’s location. The main shut-off valve to the home stops the flow of water into the home, effectively turning off water completely in the house. If it’s from before 1990, Cooley said, it could be using up to six gallons per flush.
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"The average American family washes about 300 loads of laundry each year," says David Todd, land and water use program manager for the California State Department of Water Resources. The average family uses more than 300 gallons of water daily in the United States—here's how to reduce your usage. FloSense™ Technology uses artificial intelligence to analyze and understand your water usage patterns for more precise leak protection.
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Your washing machine will most likely be located on the wall behind the washer. The valves may also be located in a utility sink if your washing machine has one. If the shut off valve is on the wall behind the refrigerator, pull the refrigerator forward gently to access the shut off valve and turn it clockwise.
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This delay can result in more significant damage and costly repairs. Shutting off your water at this location is only done as a last resort. Then, turn the type of valve you have either clockwise (if it is a gate valve) or up or down (if it is a ball valve. If you’ve used the right valve, the water in the faucet will stop running.
The easiest way to figure out which is the main water valve is to look for the slightly larger pipe that extends out of the basement through the wall. To turn off the water to your house before going on vacation, locate the main water supply valve, which is typically inside the house or where the pipe connects to the water meter. Once you have the main water valve, go around to the various taps in your home and open them up. This will let any water in the pipes drain out so that the water pressure is gone. You can now perform whatever plumbing work needs to be done without worrying about water leaks. Shut off valves will be located very close to the water heater in the basement.
On an Exterior Wall
Ideally the lever will be able to close the valve without much trouble. Most of the time your main water valve will be somewhere inside your home. Another place to look is in a closet on the side of your home that is facing the road, since the pipes will run to water mains under the street. You will almost always find the shutoff valve either in the basement or on the ground floor, so make sure to start your search there. If you have a leak in your water pipes, you will need to shut off your main house shut off valve.
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It’s not every day a homeowner needs to turn off the water to the house using the main water control valve. Some homeowners might not know its location, which can be a big problem if there is a leak, the water lines freeze, or a pipe bursts. Homeowners need to know how to locate and operate the main shut-off valve so they can quickly turn off the water in an emergency. In households across the United States, one-third of water usage can be attributed to caring for lawns and gardens, which translates to a staggering 9 billion gallons of water per day. If you still have a traditional grass lawn, cut down on water usage by getting an early start.
However, did you know that some houses have multiple water valves? It’s always a good idea to explore your property and locate any additional shut-off valves in case of emergencies or specific water supply needs. Once you have located the water shutoff valve for your home, the way to turn it off will depend on the type of valve that is installed. For a “gate valve,” you simply twist it clockwise several times until it is off. If you have a “ball valve,” you turn the lever clockwise 90 degrees so that it is perpendicular with the pipe itself.
The valve might be difficult to move if it hasn’t been used in a while. Use adjustable pliers or a pipe wrench to gently encourage the valve to rotate, but don’t apply so much pressure that you break the handle or the valve stem. Rotate the circular handle on a gate valve clockwise until it cannot turn any further to turn off the water to the house. If the main shut-off valve is stuck or seized, you can attempt to loosen it with a set of channel locks or a pipe wrench.
After you locate the main shut-off valve or the curb stop valve, inspect the condition of the plumbing before proceeding. If the valve is in poor shape, have a professional plumber replace it instead of relying on rusted, worn, or potentially leaking fixtures. If the plumbing looks to be in good condition, proceed with operating the valve.
If you find that you cannot get the valve to twist shut, try one or more of the following things to get your valve to move. Most folks do not realize the dramatic difference between turning a water tap connection and plugging a tap connection as ways to know how to shut off water to a house. While the overall cost is similar, the difference is that once the tap connection is plugged it can never be used again – the water cannot be restored to the building.
The key is that when gate valves are open, they align with the pipe, and to close them, the water valve must be turned 90 degrees until it is perpendicular to the pipe. Most homes use a ball valve now because they are easier to use, less likely to seize up, do not spring leaks over time, and seldom need plumbing repairs made to them. A ball valve has a lever handle that usually turns up and down, although, in some plumbing alignments, it can turn left to right or right to left. Your refrigerator’s shut off valve will be located on the wall behind the refrigerator or underneath the kitchen sink. The refrigerator’s water supply hose should guide you to where the shut off valve is. Dishwashers are supplied with water by the same pipes as the kitchen sink faucets.
The faucet that you previously opened will spit out some air as the water fills the pipes throughout the home. Allow a few minutes for the water to force out any air left in the lines, then turn the faucet off again. In conclusion, turning off the water supply before leaving for vacations or business trips is a crucial step to avoid potential water damage, expensive repairs, and inconveniences. If you live in an area with extremely cold weather, it’s crucial to not only turn off the water but also drain your pipes before leaving for vacation. This is because stagnant water in pipes can freeze and expand, leading to pipe bursts.
If you’ve never shut off the main water valve before, test it before you leave on vacation. You’ll need an adjustable wrench, a bucket and slip joint pliers. Turn on a faucet somewhere in the house and shut off the main water valve. An old gate valve can break, so be gentle when you’re handling it. If it leaks or doesn’t shut off all the way, have a licensed plumber replace the valve or replace it yourself if you’re comfortable with a straightforward plumbing project.
You can shut off the water by turning off the main water supply valve near the water meter. Next, fully open the hot water and allow it to drain into the sink. Ideally, both the cold and hot water will stop flowing, although sometimes tank-style water heaters may continue to empty indefinitely. If you run into this problem, turn off the isolation valve at the top of the water heater to stop the flow of hot water. Turning off the water to the home when the shut-off valve is located inside the house is usually straightforward.
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