Most main water shutoff valves are located inside the home. The most common locations are the basement, the crawlspace, the mechanical room, an exterior wall, or the yard. Water supply lines usually run into the house from the street side of the property.
You'll often find the shut-off valve near your water heater or under the kitchen sink. If it's not there, follow the main water pipe as it enters your house. Look for the valve on an exterior wall or in a panel close to where the pipe meets the street or sidewalk.
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.
Every home was required to have a main water shut-off valve installed inside the home when it was built. For most emergencies or repairs, shutting off the proper inside valve is all you will need to do. However, there are also underground shut-off valves installed outside at the property line.
Your valve is likely in one of these places: On a perimeter wall of your house. At ground level, so you'll be looking for it at eye level or above in a basement or lower on the wall if you're on the ground level floor. In a straight line from your outdoor water meter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once inside, your main line splits into two different pipe paths – one travels throughout your home and the other to your water heater.
The main water shut-off valve looks like a lever or wheel-like handle attached to a pipe near where the water supply enters your home. It's usually larger and more robust than other valves in your plumbing system.
Twist the handle on the water supply shut off valve clockwise until it stops. This valve is typically located on top of the water heater, on the right side cold line.
The valve is usually located close to where the water main enters your home. If the valve isn't there, you may find it near the water heater or furnace. If the location is hard to access, you may want to consider having a secondary valve installed somewhere easier to get to, for example, under the kitchen sink.
An internal stop tap looks like a regular tap but with one key difference. Taps have an outlet spout, which enables water to come out of one end. Internal stop taps don't have this.
Stand-alone home: The water main is usually at the front of the home, usually in a garden bed or lawn and sometimes under the driveway. Unit: The location of the water mains is usually at the rear of the property. Apartment: The location of the mains is typically in the underground car park, if there is one.
Shutting off the main water supply to your home seems simple, but surprisingly, many homeowners don't know how to do it or even where to look. 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.
Your master shutoff valve is typically located outside the home in the front, side, or backyard, or it may be located in your garage. The master shutoff valve shuts off water to the house. Supply shutoff valves shut off water to specific appliances and fixtures, such as sinks, toilets, and washing machines.
If these are damaged or break, the homeowner might be responsible for the repair. A standard homeowners policy does not cover the service lines running into the home—unless you've added service line coverage.
If a water main breaks, your city or town is responsible for fixing the break, but you often will be responsible for repair or replacement of the water main supply line connected to your house.
Your Water Is Discolored
This is a very obvious sign that something is wrong with your water main line. Obviously, your water should come out clear, with no sediment. If the water coming out of your fixtures is discolored, this means there's probably a leak.