Water Shut-Off Valve

Whether you’re an experienced plumbing pro or just picking up a wrench for the first time, every homeowner should know where and how to shut off the water. Similarly, once you’ve mastered the water flow in your house you should teach everyone you’re living with to do the same. If you’re planning on doing some DIY home remodeling it is important to know how to shut off the water while you’re working to avoid any accidents. If you’re unfortunate enough to be caught in a major piping mishap, it is absolutely essential.

The most important valve to know is the main shut-off valve for the entire plumbing system. The valve is generally located on the side of the house by the water meter and usually has a wheel-like turn off mechanism. It’s common for the wheel to be rather stubborn if it has not been used in many years, and you may need a wrench to be able to turn it. In the case of an emergency it may be very difficult for younger or smaller members of the household to manage this, and having oil handy to help grease the wheel is always a good idea. We advise that you place a few drops of oil around the valve once or twice a year to help prevent sticking. Some of the newer homes have the main shut-off valve in the basement.

In addition to the main shut-off valve many homes have individual shut-off valves for individual fixtures or equipment like water heaters, water softeners, washing machines, and so on. It is a good idea to have a plumber help you identify which pipe leads to which appliance or section of the home so that you can label the individual shut-off valves. This is especially useful when doing simple repairs in one area of the house so that you can turn off the water in the section you’re working on but still be able to access water throughout the rest of the home.

Whether you want help preventing plumbing problems by identifying and labeling your individual shut-off valves or need some plumbing first-aid in the event of an emergency, Nowthen Plumbing is always at your service!