Where Is Your Main Water Valve Located?

Your home should have a main water valve installed so it can be used in case there’s an emergency or repair that needs to be made which requires the water to be turned off. Knowing where your main water supply is located and how to shut it off is just as important as knowing where and how to reset your home’s electric circuit breaker. Indoor air quality specialist Bill Reynolds Heating & Air Conditioning explains what you need to know in this post.

Where They’re Usually Located

To find out where your main water valve is located, check the home inspection report that you received upon purchasing your home; it should be listed there. You can also look around your home’s perimeter, as the valve is often located outside. There’s no need to check the upper floors of your home, as it will usually be at ground level in a “pit” somewhere near your property line. 

If it’s not outside, it could be in your crawl space or basement near the foundation wall. If you live in an older home and the shut-off valve is located in a crawl space, you may want to consult with your trusted plumbing and HVAC maintenance contractor about having a secondary valve installed in the basement for more convenient access.

How To Properly Shut Off Your Main Water Valve

When turning off your main water valve to drain your home, turn the round “wheel” handle clockwise. This will usually take two or more full rotations. Afterwards, turn the lever handle valve until it stops at about ¼ turn. This means it shouldn’t be parallel with the pipe. Open a sink faucet to relieve the pressure and check if the water has stopped flowing. Do this to the rest of your home’s faucets also to drain them, but make sure to turn off your electric water heater and boiler as well. If you have a gas-powered water heater, turn the thermostat down to the pilot-only setting.

When it comes to excellent plumbing and duct cleaning services, Bill Reynolds Heating & Air Conditioning always gets the job done. You can reach us at (440) 946-7863, or contact us by filling out our convenient online form.