Knowing how to Shut off your water is essential for every homeowner to know!
Construction, Renovations, and Remodels
Occasionally, During renovations and the construction process, accidents can and do happen. Knowing where your water shutoff valves are located and how to turn them off can save you a fortune in water damage.
Freezing Temperatures
During the freezing winter temperatures, if not adequately protected or insulated, water pipes can freeze and burst, and if you don't know how to turn off the water, it can lead to significant water damage. You never know where these leaks will occur, so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your water shutoff valves.
Age / Lack of Maintenance / Improper Installation
It's important for new homeowners, renters, landlords, etc., to know the signs of an aging plumbing system and what to do if something goes wrong or needs to be replaced. Addressing a leak as soon as it's noticed is critical in preventing further water damage.
Tools
There are a few tools you might need to shut off your water meter. It's a good idea to have these tools in an accessible location, such as your garage or a closet next to the front door. I always consider tools as an investment. " If I own this tool, then I don't have to pay someone in the future for theirs." Consider that a typical plumbing company will charge at least a $59+ service fee just to come out, and you still have to wait for someone to arrive. Imagine the damage that can occur while waiting for a plumber if you have a water leak in your attic, underneath a sink, or inside a wall.
Tools you will need:
(Optional) Tools you might need:
Meter Box Lid Key / Valve Box Lid Key
Various versions of the water meter box/valve box lid keys exist. Some are stand-alone meter box lid keys and stand-alone water meter valve keys while others can combine a valve box lid key and a water meter valve key. These are two separate items.
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$12.18
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2-in-1 Combination Meter Box Lid Key & Water Meter Valve Key Wrench
(Combination Meter Box Lid Key and Water Meter Valve Key)
This 2-in-1 combination valve box/meter box lid key and water meter valve key is an excellent addition to your collection. I like this style because of its compact design and weight. This style of valve key is perfect for water meters with the valve handle on the sides, not the top.
Although I like this tool, it has its flaws. This water meter shut-off valve key is made of cast brass, which isn't as strong as steel. If too much force is applied to these weak spots, they tend to snap off.
T-Handle 2-in-1 Combination Meter Box Lid Key & Water Meter Valve Key
(T-Handle Combination Meter Box Lid Key and Water Meter Valve Key)
This T-handle style 2-in-1 combination valve box/meter box lid key and water meter shut-off valve key is excellent for water meter shut-off valves located on top. The T-handle allows a lot of torque to be applied to the shut-off valve. Be careful not to over-torque the handle, and ensure you turn the handle in the correct direction.
One issue I have with the T-handle style 2-in-1 combination valve box/meter box lid key and water meter valve key is the weak spot located on the meter box lid key part. The key is only held on with a small weld, and everyone I have ever owned has broken off, so buyer beware.
Stand Alone Meter Box Lid Key & T-Handle Water Meter Valve Key
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$9.44
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(Stand-Alone Water Meter Box Lid Key &
Stand-Alone T-Handle Water Meter Valve Key)
I prefer using the stand-alone water meter box lid key and the T-handle water meter valve key because of their small size and durability. These are great for most residential water meters. The only problem you might run into is if the valve handle is located on the side. In that scenario, I always have an adjustable wrench on hand.
Water Pump
Some water meter boxes might be full of water, which could be from a rain storm, sprinkler system, or a water leak. A good water pump can quickly remove this water to shut it off faster. Not all water pumps are made equally; check out my recommendations for the ones I use.
(Siphon Hand Pump)
Siphon Hand Pump
(Pumping Out Meter Box)
I recommend buying a Hand Siphon Pump if you are working on a budget. These cost between $40 and $60. This pump is operated by sticking the pump into the water you want pumped out, then pulling up and down on the pull handle until the water is sufficiently pumped out. These pumps are handy for pumping out meter boxes full of water and other things like toilets and washing machines.
Battery Operated Stick Pump
(Battery Operated Stick Pump)
Depending on the severity of your leak, using a hand pump can be very tiring. If you are looking for a more reliable and faster version, I recommend the battery-operated stick pump. While it is a bit more expensive than the hand pump, around $200, I think it's well worth the money.
How do i tell if i have a water leak?
(Water Meter Lid)
Aside from the obvious damp floor, wall, ceiling, or water spewing from a visible pipe or hose, most leaks are often concealed underneath your property. This can be in a crawl space, underneath or inside a slab foundation, in the yard, or underneath a tree or sidewalk. Sometimes, observing your water meter will tell you everything you need to know.
Locating Your Water meter
Some water meters can be located quickly by looking at the curb in the front of your property. A single line cut in the curb painted blue typically identifies where your water service is. A double line cut into the curb painted green typically identifies your sewer system.
(Water Meter Box)
(Valve Boxes)
Depending on where you live, your water meter could be located in a basement, underneath a trailer home, or inside a meter box outside, usually located at the front of your property, near the road or sidewalk. Every homeowner should maintain their valve boxes by keeping the grass mowed and cleared from around the lid so they are easily identifiable and accessible. If you live in a commercial or a multifamily building, such as a duplex, townhome, apartment building, condo, etc., locating your water meter might require a professional. You can always contact your local plumber or municipality to assist you.
Open the water meter box lid
At this point, you should have already obtained the meter box lid key of your choice. The next step is to stick the key into the keyhole on the Meter Box Lid and rotate it. The locking mechanisms on water meter box lids are spring-loaded, meaning you must keep force on the lock mechanism with the key while removing the lid. I like to put some upward pressure while turning the key; this seems to help let me know when the key engages the locking mechanism. Once the lid has been removed, be careful not to damage any wires attached to the sensor (if there is one) and set it off to the side. Some water meter lids have a small viewing door to read the meter without needing a meter key.
Look before you enter
Water Meter Boxes are the perfect spot for certain animals, reptiles, and insects to call their home. Make sure before you go to stick your hand inside the meter box to visually inspect for ants, spiders, bees, snakes, frogs, and even bunnies. These are just a few creatures I've seen inside meter boxes over the years. There are times when the meter box might be full of water and having a hand pump handy will make quick work of it.
Next, lift up the cover on the water meter if there is one, and clean off the glass. Some meters have a spin dial and wheel that easily identifies if water flows through the meter. Others might have a digital indicator that shows how many GPM or Gallons Per Minute are flowing through the meter.
Is there a water leak?
To tell if you might have a leak, start by looking at your water meter (there are other more precise ways by using a gauge), you will need to make sure that everything inside the property is turned off. This means checking that every faucet, toilet, ice maker, washing machine hose bibb, shower, bathtub, dishwasher, outdoor hose bibb, swimming pool auto refill, irrigation system, etc., are all turned off and not dripping. After verifying that all water sources throughout the property are off, look at the dial indicator on the water meter.
(Water Meter)
(Digital Water Meter)
It should not be spinning; if you have a digital water meter, it should read 0.00gpm (Gallons Per Minute). If you notice that the spin dial on the water meter is spinning or reads anything other than 0.00gpm, this is a good indicator that you might have a water leak.
What do i do if i have a water leak?
If you discover a water leak, depending on where it is, you should turn off the water supply to that particular leak if possible. Then, contact a local licensed and insured plumbing company specializing in water leak detection and repair or your local municipality's water department.
How to Turn off the water
Depending on the location of your leak, look for the nearest shut-off valve first.
Common SHUT-OFF Valve Locations
Kitchen Sink Shut-Off Valves
If you have ever looked underneath your kitchen sink, you will notice a series of angle stop shut-off valves at the back of the cabinet. These shut-off valves let you shut off the hot and cold water that supplies your kitchen faucet. Occasionally, leaks occur on the kitchen faucet water supply lines, or repairs need to be made to the kitchen faucet, or it might be time to replace your outdated kitchen faucet with a new modern one. Whatever the case, knowing where these valves are and how to turn them off is essential.
(1/4-Turn Water Shut-Off Valves)
(Push/Pull Style Water Shut-Off Valves)
(Multi-Turn Water Shut-Off Valves)
You will encounter a variety of different types of angle stops and configurations. If plumbed correctly, the angle stop to the left should always be the hot water side, and the angle stop to the right should always be the cold water side. Some angle stops are 1/4 turn valves, meaning it only takes a quarter of a turn to shut off the valve. You must be careful with these valves because turning them too far can damage the valve. Other angle stop valves can be multi-turn valves, meaning you must rotate the valve handle multiple times before the water shuts off. Another type of angle stop valve that I have come across is a push-pull type, which has a peg that, when pushed in, shuts off the water and, when pulled out, turns the water on, or vice versa.
(Push/Pull Style Water Shut-Off Valves)
(Push/Pull Style Water Shut-Off Valves)
Angle stop valves are notorious for failing or not always completely shutting off. This is due to a small rubber washer inside of the valve deteriorating. When these valves fail, your next option is to shut down the water to the house. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
Dishwasher Shut-Off Valve
The dishwasher's shut-off valve should be located underneath the kitchen sink. It is usually tied into the hot water angle stop that supplies the kitchen faucet, but it might also have its own supply. Again, multiple configurations can be found here. I like to provide a separate angle stop for the kitchen faucet and one for the dishwasher so you can isolate one from the other.
(Dishwasher Angle Stop Water Shut-Off Valve)
(Leak Underneath Dishwasher)
Sometimes leaks happen underneath dishwashers, and it's nice to be able to shut them down while still being able to use the kitchen faucet. If this valve doesn't shut down completely, you can attempt to shut off the valve to the water heater; this will shut off all the hot water throughout the home. If that doesn't work, you can attempt to shut down the water to the whole house. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
Refrigerator Shut-Off Valve
Depending on age, most homes have an angle stop valve behind the refrigerator. This valve supplies water to an ice maker or water dispenser. Occasionally, leaks occur on the refrigerator water supply lines, or it's time to replace the refrigerator or move out, so you need to shut off the angle stop. Angle stop valves are notorious for failing or not always completely shutting off. This is due to a small rubber washer inside of the valve deteriorating. When these valves fail, your next option is to shut down the water to the house. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
(Water and Ice Maker Shut-Off Valve)
Toilet Shut-Off Valve
(Toilet Angle-Stop Water Shut-Off Valve)
Some people might want to replace their cheaper builder-grade toilets with fancier ones. Or, Maybe you have noticed that your water bill has increased. Toilets often need minor repairs, whether a fill valve needs replacing or a flapper that won't seal anymore. These situations will require the angle stop behind the toilet to not leak. When these valves fail, your next option is to shut down the water to the house. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
Lavatory Sink Shut-Off Valves
If you have ever looked underneath your bathroom sink, you will notice a series of angle stop shut-off valves at the back of the cabinet. These shut-off valves let you shut off the hot and cold water that supplies your lavatory faucet. Occasionally, leaks occur on the lavatory faucet water supply lines, or repairs must be made to the lavatory faucet. Alternatively, replacing your outdated bathroom faucet with a new modern one might be time. Whatever the case, knowing where these valves are and how to turn them off is essential. When these valves fail, your next option is to shut down the water to the house. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
(Lavatory Sink Angle-Stop Water Shut-Off Valves)
Washing Machine Hose Bibbs / Shut-Off Valves
(Washing Machine Hose Bibbs / Shut-Off Valves)
Behind your washing machine is a washer box with two hose bibbs. If plumbed correctly, the hose bibb on the left should supply hot water to the washing machine, and the hose bibb on the right should supply cold water to the washing machine. Over time, the washers inside of these hose bibbs will deteriorate and will not correctly seal anymore. Water can flow past the valve when this happens, causing a messy situation. This is usually only noticeable when you first move in or out or need a new washing machine. When these valves go bad, water to the whole house must be shut down. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
Water Heater Shut-Off Valve
Water heaters have a shelf life and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Standard plumbing code states that every water heater has a shut-off valve on the cold water supply before the water heater. This is so the water heater can easily be maintained. Sometimes, these valves must be replaced depending on age, the impurities and chemicals in the water, or improper installation. When these valves go bad, water to the whole house must be shut down. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
(Water Heater Shut-Off Valve)
Water Manifold Panel
(Water Manifold Isolation Panel)
Some builders specializing in new construction homes are beginning to install water manifold panels in garages. These water manifolds are attached to every water line throughout the property and are equipped with shut-off valves to isolate each line. When these valves go bad, water to the whole house must be shut down. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
Outdoor Frost Proof / Hose Bibb
Most newer homes have frost-proof hydrants, while older homes will likely only have a hose bibb. Most of these eventually develop a drip or become impossible to shut off by hand. Most outdoor frost-proof or hose bibbs can usually be repairable or replaced, however, water to the whole house must be shut down. You need to locate your home's main water shut-off valve to do that.
(Replacement of a Frost-Proof Hose Bibb)
House Main Shut-Off Valve Box
(New Whole House Isolation / Water Shut-Off Valves)
Your home's main shut-off valve should be located in a valve box within a couple of feet of the property. These valve boxes are often buried in flower beds or covered with grass and sediment. It is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain their valve boxes. If you can not locate this valve box or discover the valve is too damaged to shut off, the next step is to shut down the water at the water meter.
Irrigation Double Check Valve Box
Sometimes, maintenance has to be done, or leaks occur in the irrigation system. Instead of shutting down the water to your whole house, you can isolate your irrigation system by shutting down the double-check valve. It is the homeowner's responsibility to maintain their double-check valves. Some municipalities require that your double-check valve be certified by a licensed back-flow inspector every year. If the double-check valve needs to be maintained or replaced, the water must be shut down at the water meter.
(In Ground Irrigation Backflow Preventer / Double-Check Valve)
Caution
Before attempting to shut down your water meter, check with your local municipality to ensure that it is legal and allowable. Most municipalities will send their water department to perform this service for free.
Water Meter Shut-Off Valve Box
(Water Meter In The Open / ON Position)
Depending on your meter type, the shut-off valve might be located on the very top (the most common) or the sides. If you have a meter with the shut-off valve on the side, you will likely need an adjustable wrench to shut off the water. If the shut-off valve is on the top, you should use a water meter valve key to shut it off. You should notice that there are two loops on the shut-off valve. There is one on the handle and one on the valve's body.
Rotating the valve clockwise until these loops line up should result in the water to the property being shut off. If these loops are separated, the valve is usually open. These loops are for the city or water company to put a lock on to prevent water from getting to the property. Once the meter is in the off position, the wheel on the meter should stop spinning. Open a downstairs faucet or an outdoor hose bibb to verify the water has shut off.
(Water Meter In The Closed / OFF Position)
You never know when disaster will strike; learning to shut down your water can save you a fortune in property damage and water loss.
(Above is an example of a water leak just past the meter.)