Where Is My Main Water Shut Off Valve?

Knowing the location of the main water shut-off valve can come in handy.

If you have a leaking pipe that's letting a lot of water escape into your home, it's important to get the main water supply to the property turned off as quickly as is possible to limit any damage done before you call a plumber or go about carrying out repairs yourself.

Water Meter

Most water meters have two shut off valves. One located on the supply side of the unit and another on the other side entering your home. Rotate both of these in a clockwise direction until they won't turn any further to shut off the supply to your house.

Location

Water meters are usually fitted outside of properties in warmer climates and inside, perhaps in a basement or in a cupboard, in colder areas. They can also be found in cupboards near the edge of the property grounds.

Be Prepared

Whenever you move into a new property, familiarize yourself with where your water switch-off valve is located. In the case of an emergency you don't want to be in the position of having to waste valuable time looking for it. It's a good idea to ask your landlord or the vendor you bought the property from where to look before you move in.

References

• Simplify DIY: Locating and shutting off the mains water supply