As a homeowner, knowing how to shut off your home’s main water supply can be helpful during emergencies, right up there with knowing how to reset a circuit breaker. In today’s post, local plumbing and HVAC contractor McLay Services, Inc, shares a quick guide on how to locate your home’s main water shut-off valve.

How to Locate the Main Water Shut-Off Valve

The main water shut-off valve is used for shutting off your home’s main water supply. Building codes require every home to have one, but it’s not always in the same spot. Some are located indoors, while others are outdoors inside a “pit” or right at the property line. The following are some of the common indoor locations of the main water shut-off valve:

Basement — A basement water main shut-off valve is typically located near the front foundation wall, within three to five feet of where the water main enters the home’s perimeter. You’ll likely find the shut-off valve near the water heater or the furnace.

Crawl space — Homes with a crawl space may have the water main shut-off valve located in this area. Accessing it can be difficult without the aid of an air conditioning and plumbing professional, however. You can choose to have a secondary valve installed where it’s more accessible inside the house.

Slab-on-grade construction — If your home has a slab-on-grade foundation, look for the water main shut-off valve under the kitchen sink or near the water heater.

Why Do You Need to Locate It?

In the event of a plumbing emergency, knowing where the water main shut-off valve is—and turning the water off in a timely manner—can help prevent major water damage. Even if you have a plumber that offers 24-hour emergency services, it will still take time for them to arrive. Shutting off your home’s water supply during this time can help prevent flooding and other related types of water damage.

There are two types of valves. A round “wheel” valve will need to be turned clockwise until it’s fully shut. Don’t apply excess force or over-torque the valve to avoid damaging it. If you have a lever valve, give it a slow quarter turn clockwise to shut it off. Newer types of lever valves produce a “click” when it’s in the right position.

Call McLay Services, Inc, for Your Plumbing and HVAC Needs

McLay Services, Inc, is your leading provider of plumbing and air conditioning repair services. Give us a call at (909) 392-2202. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Claremont and Pomona, CA, as well as the surrounding communities.