How to Find the Main Water Valve in Your House
Knowing where the main water shutoff is in a house is of critical importance; you need to know exactly where it is in case of a plumbing emergency or when you'll be attempting DIY plumbing repairs. Knowing where this valve is can help to mitigate potentially significant water damage. Generally, this valve is either marked for function or logical in placement, but locating it prior to there being a real problem is smart planning. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Head to the basement or access area, where the majority of homes' appliances are located. The shutoff is typically located near laundry or water heater fixtures; it has a black or blue handle. Use a flashlight for increased visibility if necessary.
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Confirm the fixture's function by shutting off the valve. If it's a handle, 1/4 turn (so that the handle is horizontal) will shut the water off. If it is a knob, rotate counterclockwise until the handle no longer turns. Often, there is an audible change as the water pressure decreases. Turn on a faucet to confirm that this shuts off the water supply.
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Determine if the valve is already labeled as to function. If not, take a marker and write "main water" on the pipe or adjacent surface.
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References
Resources
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