If something goes seriously wrong with your home’s plumbing system, such as a burst pipe that’s spraying water on your walls and floors, you’ll want to stop your home’s water flow as soon as you can. To do this, you’ll need to know where your emergency water shut-off valve is located and how to use it properly. Today we’re going to talk about the emergency water shut-off valve in your home so that you know how to locate and use it if a plumbing disaster strikes!
What is an emergency water shut-off valve?
An emergency water shut-off valve is a valve that cuts off the water supply to your home. When you turn the valve, you can stop the flow of water to your home and prevent big leaks from causing serious damage to your walls, floors, furniture and more.
Where are emergency water shut-off valves located?
Depending on your home, your emergency water shut-off valve can be located in one of a few different places. The first place is outside near your water meter. Your water meter will either be located on the side of your house or in the front of your house near the street, and it will likely be in a covered box. Some homes also have a water shut-off valve located where the main water line enters the home.
If you’re having difficulty locating your home’s emergency water shut-off valve, feel free to contact Cabrillo and we can help you find it!
Familiarize yourself with the emergency water shut-off valve
After you’ve located your emergency water shut-off valve, you’ll want to know how to properly use it. While some valves can simply be turned by hand, many valves require a wrench or a meter key to turn properly. In either case, turning the valve clockwise will shut your home’s water supply off.
Once you’ve gotten comfortable with finding and using your emergency water shut-off valve, it’s a good idea to test it out about once per year. This will ensure not only that the valve is turning properly, but also that you remember where it’s located and how to use it.
Also, remember that any time you test your emergency water shut-off valve you have to return the valveall the way back to the “on” position to turn your water back on. If the valve is even slightly closed, it can cause low water pressure in your home.
If you have any questions about an emergency water shut-off valve, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning company.