How to Shut Off Water Main Valves

If a plumbing accident or broken pipe leaves water gushing into your home, you’ll want to know how to shut it off as quickly as possible. You can often address the problem locally but in some cases you may need to know how to shut off your water at the main valve.

You can always call Punctual Plumber Dallas for help but knowing how to cut off the water yourself might save your home from catastrophic damage. To do this efficiently, you need to locate the valve and know how to shut off the water at its source.

Where to Find the Water Main Shut Off

Follow the main water line to your house. If you draw a straight line from your outdoor water meter through your home’s foundation, you’ll likely find where your water line enters. It’s often at ground level and may be located behind a door or access panel. The shut-off valve should be accessible and not behind a wall. If you can’t find the valve, call us for additional support or a technician who can help.

How to Shut Off Main Your Water Valve

There are two main types of water shut off valves:

Gate valves have round handles, like what you might find on your outdoor hose faucet. They have an interior “gate” that lowers as you turn the handle. To turn a gate valve off, simply turn it clockwise until it is fully tightened.

Ball valves have straight handles that move 90 degrees. A small ball rotates within the valve to block the water. An open ball valve handle will be parallel to the pipe. To close a ball valve, simply turn the handle so that it’s perpendicular to the pipe.

How to Shut Off Water Main at Meter

If you cannot locate it or figure out how to shut off the water main valve inside your home, go to the water meter. You should be able to close the valve that is on the side or along the piping. Water meters typically have a ball valve or a small rectangular metal knob. You may want to ask for help if you live in an apartment or cannot tell which valve leads to your house.

Shut Off Valves at the Leak Source

In non-emergency water shut off situations, you can cut off the water from the local source of your leak. For example: an overflowing toilet.

Locate the valves near your toilet or under the sinks of a leaky faucet. These are typically gate valves with oval shaped handles. Simply turn them clockwise until the water flow stops.

The shut off for a bathtub or shower is often behind a plumbing access panel. Locate the panel on the opposite side of the wall from the fixture. They can be hidden in closets or along bedroom or hallway walls.

If shutting off the water at a local site doesn’t work, go to the water main and shut off all the water coming into your home. This is your safest solution until the problem can be repaired.

Dallas Valve and Leak Repair

Knowing how to shut off water main valves is a valuable skill for any homeowner, but it doesn’t fix the bigger problem. If you have a leak in your Dallas home, schedule your repairs with Benjamin Franklin today. Don’t go without water any longer than you need to!