Every home has two main water shutoff valves: one inside the house and the other by where your property meets the street. The simplest way to shut off all water running through your house is to know where the main valve is located inside your house.
Main Water Shut-Off Valve Basics and Importance
Most homes actually have two such valves: One for outside water sources, which is generally controlled by the city you live in, plus one for your indoor plumbing and water areas.
Places to Check for the Main Water Shut-Off Valve
The incoming water line usually comes through the foundation near the front side of your house. Follow this line up to the water meter. Just past the meter should be the main water shut-off valve, a red or green handle or knob.
Gate valves are one of the most common valves used as a main shut off valve. They are reliable and long-lasting. Gate valves have a twist-type handle and should only be used to fully open water supply or completely shut off water supply.
The main valve is always placed along the perimeter of the foundation, so it'll be near the wall, not the center of the household. It's also usually installed at or near ground level, so you can skip checking the upstairs and attic. In most cases, the valve is connected to a copper pipe beside the water heater.
Every home has two main water shutoff valves: one inside the house and the other by where your property meets the street. The simplest way to shut off all water running through your house is to know where the main valve is located inside your house.
A gate valve is the most common type of in-line valve used for opening and closing the flow of water in a water main. Gate Valves come in many different sizes depending on the watermain they are being attached to.
Isolate two fixtures with two shut-offs from one water supply. Only dahl Dual Shut-Off valves offer our unique swivel design for flexibility in real-world installations. Three patterns available. Inlets for Copper, PEX, Iron, CPVC pipe and more.
Fixing a Stuck Water Shut Off Valve
We recommend putting a cloth over the handle and using your hand to slowly rock the stuck valve back and forth to loosen it. Keep doing this until the valve can be completely opened and closed. If the valve won't turn after trying this, grab a pair of Channellock pliers.
If the ball valve is parallel, it is ON; if it is perpendicular (90° angle), it is OFF. The water meter should also be able to tell you if you have a plumbing leak somewhere in your home.
A cold water inlet valve (often identified by a blue handle) feeds cold water from the main supply into the water heater. This is the valve to shut off if you need to repair or replace the water heater. The hot water outlet pipe also has a valve that will shut down all hot water leaving the water heater.
Hot Water Supply
If you have a combi boiler then the hot water is supplied direct, so by closing the mains stop valve it will shut off the water. However, if you have a hot water cylinder this will be an indirect supply and there will be a valve on the pipe from the cold water storage cistern to the hot water cylinder.
It is perfectly safe to turn it off by either turning the wheel clockwise or closing the lever. If you don't know where to locate the valve, you may find it: In the basement.
Look for a rectangular or round cover that will be near the edge of your property, often between the curb and the sidewalk. Some water main valves are located along an alley, rather than the street. The cover may be metal or plastic, and it might say “water meter” to help with identification.
There may be a hidden plumbing leak in the walls of your home, or maybe your toilet is running when it's not in use. These “hidden” leaks can cause your home to be using water even when your main water valve is turned off.
While frequently turning on and off the water can cause too much pressure to be put on the water pipes, turning it off doesn't harm the system. Locate the mains water supply valve in your house, which may be in the basement or in a crawl space.
Generally speaking, most water shut-off valves last between 10 to 20 years. However, they can last longer, depending on the material you choose. For example, brass valves can last about eight to 10 years, while stainless steel can last over 30 years.
Gate Valve
Gate valves are easily one of the most common water valves used for general and residential plumbing. As the first type of valve patented in America back in 1839, gate valves have been used ever since as main shutoff valves, isolation valves, hot water tank valves, and more.
Gate valves are used to control the flow of liquids and gasses. They are often used in piping systems to regulate the flow of water or other fluids. On the other hand, stop valves are used to shut off the flow of liquids or gasses. They are often used in emergencies to shut off the flow of a substance quickly.