How to Turn Off Water To House and Prevent Damage Guide

Table Of Content

• L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?
• Opinion: Is planting trees on Arbor Day one way we can all fight climate change? Not so much
• Step 2: Turn the main water shut-off valve clockwise.
• Opinion: California has to conserve water. Why is Sacramento dragging its heels?
• Cutting the Water Supply to Your Property
• Emergency Curb Stop Valve

If you find any leaks, cracks, bulges or signs of corrosion, it’s a good idea to replace the lines immediately. To replace the supply lines we recommend one braided stainless steel hoses, which you can find at any home center. They last longer than rubber or plastic versions and are less likely to leak. Some homes are equipped with branch valves that shut off the water supply to selected lines in the home. These valves are located along the main branch pipes and located in accessible utility areas.

L.A.’s water supplies are in good shape. But is the city ready for the next drought?

With the toilet float up, the fill valve is closed and the toilet will not fill with water. This will only work if you are working on the other parts and not replacing the fill valve or the toilet itself. In that case you will have to turn off water to the entire house. Once you locate the valve handle, turn it clockwise until it stops. If it is frozen in position, put a few drops of lubricating oil around the valve stem and wear a work glove to turn the handle or, if necessary, turn it with the help of a pipe wrench. If you need to work on a faucet, shower, or tub that isn’t served by a shut-off valve, you may need to shut off the water to the entire house in order to work on it.

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The company also provides heating and cooling services, ensuring your home’s comfort is well taken care of. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact Blue Bear Plumbing, Heating & Air today. Before leaving, inspect faucets, water supply lines, and visible pipes for any damage or leaks. So, whether you just want to be prepared for an emergency, or you have a plumbing job coming up, follow these steps to learn how to turn off the water to your entire home. Once you know how to shut off the water, it is a good idea to go through these steps at least once a year to ensure your main water valve is in good working order.

Step 2: Turn the main water shut-off valve clockwise.

And basically that is how you turn off water to your house for plumbing repairs. For a gate valve (looks like a knob) you will need to turn the knob clockwise. The valve is always open so you will need to apply more force to turn it off. Turn on the faucet highest up and farthest away from the shut-off, as well as the one lowest in the system and closest to the shut-off, to allow as much water to drain out as possible. If your plumbing is all on one level, try the tub faucet and the outside faucet if the weather allows. Angi helps you connect with specialized plumbers who are reliable and know how to handle plumbing installation and repairs.

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To turn off cold water supply to the water heater you will need to turn the valve on the cold water line. For washing machines, there is usually a water supply valve that controls the hot water inlet hose and another one for cold water. Try looking on the utility sink next to your washing machine (if you have one) or in a recessed water supply valve box in the wall near the washer. A water flow sensor helps protect your home from water damage by monitoring water flow and shutting off the water supply if the flow exceeds a specified amount. They can be attached to your home’s main water supply line or in other spots around the house to help prevent flooding and water damage. This valve is located deep in the ground and can only be operated with a specific tool known as a curb key.

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If your valve is in one of these tight locations, you may need a professional plumber to relocate the valve or to install an easy-to-access secondary valve further down the line. The shutoff will either be a gate valve, which looks like a circular spigot, or a ball valve, which has a lever-style handle. Your main shut-off valve could be in a number of places depending on your regional location and the age of your home. The knob will either be a gate valve (looks like a circular spigot) or a ball valve (looks like a lever). In warmer climates, the main water shut-off valve is usually located outside.

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Turning off the water to the entire home will also stop the flow of water into the water heater. However, if you have a tank-style water heater, then the water inside the tank may still flow out of the water heater. Open a faucet on the lowest level of the home to drain any water remaining in the line. If the hot water continues to flow, locate the isolation valve above the water heater and turn it off to stop the flow of hot water.

Cutting the Water Supply to Your Property

This checklist will help you avoid water leak problems in your house. For this reason, it’s recommended to locate and test your main shut-off valve now, instead of scrambling to try to find it when water is pouring into your home from a broken water line. The valve should work properly without you needing to rely on any emergency plumbing tools. If you find that it is seized or that the valve doesn’t completely shut off the water to the home, then you should contact a plumber to replace the valve. If a plumbing fitting starts to leak or a pipe ruptures, it can result in extensive water damage, costly water damage restoration repairs, and ongoing issues with mold and mildew growth. Once you have finished making repairs or your plumbing emergency is no longer a problem, turn the water back on by rotating the valve counterclockwise.

David Balkan is the CEO of Balkan Sewer And Water Main, the largest and most trusted service in New York City. David is extremely active in various NYC plumber organizations being the Chairman of the Subsurface Committee in the Master Plumbers Council, and Vice President of the Subsurface Plumbers Association. In addition David’s expertise is respected by officials of New York City agencies such as the NYC DEP, NYC DOB, and the NYC DOT. He frequently provides valuable input on a variety of industry related matters. Frozen pipes can lead to ruptures in the pipes or, more commonly, pipe joints that crack or burst. If all this sounds too technical or you decide it’s not in your best interest to try this at home, please call us!

In most cases, a localized shutoff valve will work, but if the work is extensive, you might have to activate the main water shut-off valve. Main shut off valves will either be located inside the house or outside the house on the street side. Start by looking inside utility areas like garage, basement, crawlspace, laundry room etc. The water supply tube that runs to the dishwasher often has a shutoff valve controlling it. Usually, this is also located under the kitchen sink base cabinet. To ensure you’ve turned off the correct valve, turn on your sink faucet.

Between forgetting about a half-empty glass of water on the counter or changing out the water in your dog’s bowl, we all find ourselves faced with leftover water from time to time. "Recycle it instead and water your plants or use it to flush the toilet," says Todd. Fortunately, conserving water at home is easy, and taking small but thoughtful measures to reduce water consumption can make a big difference over time.

Like private water companies, private utility providers must offer a payment plan to give you more time to pay your bill. “Your power cannot be shut off once you agree to a payment plan, and must remain on if you are making timely payments,” Bonta said in the release. By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of potential water damage while you are away.