Almost every home has a main cut off valve to turn water off to your home.
It's very common for contractors to save a few bucks by skipping the individual shutoff valves. They can be added, but it could be a lot of work depending on whether you are going to have to open up the wall under the sink.
Every house has at least one main water shut-off valve. Look for where the plumbing enters the home to find yours. There are a couple of main spots to check inside first before heading outside to look. You can save yourself some time by checking your property inspection report if you know where that is.
If you can't find it, call the water company who will have records of where it's located and they can tell you where it's located. From there go to the basement or crawl space to find where the water line comes into the house. Somewhere between those two locations (if it's a straight line) is your outside shutoff.
In most cases, the master shutoff valve to the home will have a wheel (gate valve) or a straight handle (ball valve). Gate valves (pictured to the right) are operated by turning the wheel clockwise until the water is off. Ball valves are operated by turning the handle a quarter-turn clockwise until the water is off.
Main Shutoff Valve Types
It has a circular handle mounted on a stem and connected to the valve's body. To stop the water flow, turn the valve clockwise to close the gate and turn it counterclockwise to open the gate and restore the water flow.
The main shutoff should be next to the meter. With a house this old the valve may not look like a modern valve. Beyond that your only other option if you can't find it is to trace the piping back to where it enters the house. You should encounter the shutoff somewhere along the way.
While every house should have a stopcock inside, it isn't guaranteed that you'll have one outside as well, especially if your property is old.
Most of the time, homeowners are responsible for replacing a main water shut-off valve. This is because the property owner also owns the water service line from the shut-off valve near their property line to their house. That means they must maintain, repair, or replace it when needed.
Inside stop valves are usually located just after the water pipe enters the house. This is often: Under the kitchen sink. In an airing cupboard.
The average cost of replacing a water shut-off valve can range from $150 to $400, depending on various factors such as materials, labor, and the complexity of the job.
Many showers and tubs at least in the US have no cut offs, so if you get a bad leak, you have to cut the water off at the Main. If you have to replace the faucet, you have to usually cut out the wall, maybe even tile to get the faucet replaced- then have a big hole to repair.
Cutting off the water supply to your home may be necessary in the event of a burst water pipe, leak, or any serious plumbing repair. Knowing where and how to find the water main shut-offs can save you time and money in an emergency.
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.
While some buildings have the water meter inside the property, most modern homes have their shut-off valve outside. Here are some tips on how to find your main valve, and what to do to stop indoor flooding.
Check the service line where it enters your home
You'll want to find where the service line enters your home—typically in the basement or crawl space, just prior to the shutoff valve. The water meter may be in the same location, but in some areas, the water meters are outside the home.
A basic utility like water cannot be shut off. You can report this to the Health Department. You cannot shut off a vital utility like water.
The water main shut-off valve will look like a slightly large pipe with some sort of handle stuck in the middle of it. It's not a massive pipe or valve, so it can easily blend in with the rest of your fixtures.
In a home the inside stop tap is usually located under the kitchen sink, but can also be in an airing cupboard or under the floorboards near the front door. You should be able to operate the valve yourself. Turning the valve clockwise will close it, reducing the amount of water passing through.
Pipes: Turn off water supply to the house and drain pipes to protect them from freezing. You can empty pipes by running the water and flushing the toilets after the water has been turned off. After draining the pipes, it is a good idea to leave the faucets open to prevent pressure build up from any water that remains.
Average Replacement Costs
The cost to replace a main water shut off valve depends on the type of valve you choose: Ball valve replacement: Typically costs between $150 and $300. Gate valve replacement: Usually ranges from $200 to $400.
Who is Responsible for the Water Line From the Street to Your House? Water service lines within the bounds of your property are considered your personal responsibility to maintain, while public water pipes outside of private property lines are the city's responsibility.
Shut off the water by turning the ball valve 1/4 turn to make it perpendicular to the water pipe. 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.