Understanding how to turn off the water supply to your home is essential for both homeowners and renters. This knowledge is crucial in emergencies involving flooding or burst pipes, and it is also the first step to take when upgrading or repairing the plumbing fixtures and pipes in your residence.
You can shut off the water to your home at several locations: the primary valve where the city water supply enters, the water meter, or at the shut-off valves for individual appliances and fixtures.
Regardless of whether you have any upcoming renovations, it’s important to be aware of the location of the main water valve and to know how to shut off the water supply to your house independently. This guide will help you identify the typical valve locations both inside and outside your home, and provide you with the necessary steps to turn off your water supply.
Contents
Location of the Main Valve
- To find the primary shutoff valve for your home, check the utility area close to the point where the main water line enters the building.
- The valve could be located on an exterior wall close to the water meter, provided the meter is situated on your premises.
- The valve might also be located inside, such as in the basement or crawlspace of your house.
- The primary shutoff valve is typically situated on the same side of the home as the water meter. This valve is generally quite large and may need some effort to turn.
Steps to Shut Off the Primary Water Valve
- The primary water shut-off valve is usually a ball valve, featuring a plastic handle that can be rotated a quarter turn to stop the water flow.
- Once you have shut off the main valve, open a faucet in your house that is situated on a lower level or in the basement.
- Open a tap on an upper level of your house as well. This action helps to clear any stagnant water from the plumbing system prior to starting your work on the pipes.
Tip
Certain residences feature branch valves that can halt the water flow to specific lines within the house. These valves are positioned along the primary branch pipes and are found in easily reachable utility spaces.
How to Shut Off Water at the Water Meter
It might be possible to turn off the water from the customer side of the water meter, but this should be considered a last option. The plumbing lines that extend beyond the meter are technically the city’s responsibility and are safeguarded by local regulations.
Do not adjust this valve unless the main shutoff valve on the house side is either missing or malfunctioning.
Ways to Shut Off Water Supply to Fixtures and Appliances
If you notice a dripping faucet, a continuously running toilet, or an issue with any water-connected appliance, you can easily turn off the water at the fixture using its isolation valve. This allows you to isolate the problem without affecting the water supply to the rest of your home, enabling you to carry out the necessary repairs.
The appearance and placement of these valves can differ, but they are typically situated near the fixture or appliance. Here are the areas to check:
- Sink faucets: Check for a pair of isolation valves located beneath the sink, connected to the water supply lines leading to the faucet—there should be a valve for hot water and another for cold water.
- Toilets typically feature a single valve that controls cold water, which is usually located near the floor, just beneath the water supply valve, on the lower left side of the toilet tank.
- Showers and bathtubs: Look for an access panel located on the opposite side of the wall from the shower or tub, beneath the floor in the basement, on the ceiling if there is a floor beneath, or behind the escutcheon plate where the showerhead is mounted.
- Dishwashers typically have a water supply line that connects to a valve located beneath the kitchen sink cabinet or close to the shutoff valves for the sink faucet.
- Ice makers and water dispensers in refrigerators typically feature a small copper or mesh tube that connects to the water supply. This tube usually includes a saddle valve to shut off the water flow, or the valve may be located beneath the kitchen sink.
- Washing machines are equipped with two valves: one for the hot water supply and another for the cold water supply. These valves can typically be found next to a utility sink or within a recessed water supply valve box that is installed in the wall close to the washing machine.
If you’re unable to locate the isolation valve close to the impacted fixture or appliance, there’s no need to panic. You can always turn off the water supply by utilizing the main shutoff valve.
How to Shut Off the Water Supply to the Water Heater
In the event of a leak in a hot water pipe or the need to fix or replace the water heater, you can find isolation valves in the vicinity. Depending on the configuration of your water heater, it’s essential to identify the appropriate valve to shut off.
If you see a blue or yellow valve connected to the water heater, that is probably the valve you should turn off. Be careful not to touch the red valve, which is for hot water. If you can, it’s a good idea to contact your HVAC service provider or a plumber for guidance on which valve to turn off, rather than attempting to identify the correct one on your own.
Is it acceptable to shut off the primary water supply to the home?
Shutting off the primary water supply to your home is perfectly acceptable. This action will not harm your plumbing. Many homeowners choose to do this while on vacation to prevent the risk of leaks or flooding.
Does turning off the water supply impact the water heater?
When you turn off the water supply to your home, it’s important to also turn off the water supply to your water heater. This precaution helps prevent any potential damage to the water heater’s components. Reach out to your HVAC technician or a plumber for guidance on how to properly shut down your specific water heater system.
Will pipes break if the water supply is shut off?
Even when the water supply is shut off, there remains a possibility of pipes bursting if they contain water and the temperature outside drops significantly.
