There are two valves on your backflow device. I turned off the water to the house at the main shut off valve while I was fixing a faucet problem. When a water line bursts, the water damage can be exponential, especially if a house is Vacant. Only use your hand to turn your water valves on or off. This will make the handle perpendicular to the pipe. Water Line Replacements: Water Main Problems and How We ... Every house is different in terms of where this valve is located. To shut off an outside main water valve, you may need a couple of tools: If a security bolt is holding the cover down, you will need a socket wrench to remove the security bolt. LOCATE THE MAIN WATER SHUT-OFF VALVE The first step in shutting off the main water valve is to locate it. WARNING: old water valves can be damaged and corroded. Is Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Stuck? (Do This ... Simply grab the handle and turn the valve clockwise to stop water flow into your home. Understanding Your Water Main & Sewer Line Larry Green shows us how to shut off your main water supply if you have a water line break. Indoor Shut-Off Valves. Costs should stay low for this replacement unless the valve is hard to access or there is corrosion. The main water shut-off valve is typically a brass valve with a round handle and is located near the main water pipe leading into your home. If the meter box is full of water, you will need to bail out the water using a cup. Shut off the outdoor water valve Alternatively, counter-clockwise will OPEN the valve and allow water to pass through the valve. Usually this is a laundry tub, outdoor spigot, or kitchen faucet. To effectively shut off your water supply, turn the valve located before the meter. $22. During the colder months, leftover water can freeze and expand, which can lead to burst pipes or valves—or, in other words, an extensive repair. Then drain your home at the lowest point. This Maintenance Minute ® video explains how to find the water shut off valve in your condo home, how to properly turn it off and how to turn it back on again. In regions where it's warm year-round, the shut-off valve may be outside . If you found the water shut off valve inside your house, turn it off. There are some instances where you may have to turn off your main water to your house, especially in the event of a plumbing emergency. To turn off the water to your house and the rest of your property (including outdoor sprinkler systems, hose faucets, and so forth), look for the main valve just to the house side of your water meter. The water main shutoff valve could be in a number of places, depending . It may be underground within a pit, or at or near the property line. Power Tip: If you have trouble reaching the valve or it sticks when you try to turn it, arm yourself with a good water main shut off tool. First, shut off the main water valve. Water shut-off valves may have a round . 4 Ways You Can Celebrate the Holiday Season this Year. The picture below shows a typical water meter cover found in cities and counties across the U.S. With the cover off, you can see the water meter and the county's cutoff valve (to the left). The first step is to find the water main shut-off valve on your property. Usually the water main will be in a basement or garage. 1. If you're in the country without access to city water, then you need to turn off or unplug the pump. It may take two or more full revolutions. Holes or cracks may develop in a water main over time, usually as a result of external corrosion from the soil or frost. Simply turn it clockwise to cut off the water supply flowing to your home. I too am not a pro but can figure things out. The stream of water may become apparent through the foundation wall, coming up on your property or in the roadway. Once you have turned the tap off, then go inside to check that the water is turned off. Find the main shutoff valve that's in your home and shut it off. If the valve is outside your house, lift the cover with a large screwdriver. Plan where you'll place the shut off valve. Make sure there are no other water leaks. Resources: If the house's water main shutoff malfunctions, the water utility usually has a shutoff outside the home that they can access. Turn off the stop valve, it will be either a ball valve or a T-top isolation tap. How to Turn Off the Water Supply: 1. Or, you may need to contact the municipal water supply provider to unlock the cover. Turn off your home's main water supply. Do not discard the sand or dirt. In warm weather climates, the water meter and main water shutoff valve will be located in the curbside box as just described, or it could be attached to an exterior wall. If your water is shut off for long periods of time and you use your hot water heavily, this can create the risk of serious damage. Individual shutoff valves or "stops" are installed on the . Inside, it may be located in a basement, crawl space, or near the foundation. When I turned the main water shut off back on a slow drip is now occurring right at the knob. After you've shut this off, check the water meter to see if the leak indicator or the sweep hand are moving which would indicate that water is still going through the meter. Method #1. We have a problem with our outside water main ball shut-off valve, it does not turn off the water in the house. To turn off your home's water supply, follow these simple steps: Locate your main water shut off valve. This is normal. Locate the water supply valve for your hose bibb. If you happen to have a water softener, filter or other type of water conditioner there will be a valve located at that device which should shut off all water coming into the house. Step 2: Insulate exposed piping STEP 2: To turn off the water, turn the knob clockwise until you can no longer turn it. To shut off an outside main water valve, you may need a couple of tools: If a security bolt is holding the cover down, you will need a socket wrench to remove the security bolt. For instance, where the water main enters your house, you will often find a hose bib and a shut off valve. Inside the house, the main water shut-off valve is usually located along the perimeter of the home on the side that faces the street. 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