Do You Need Help with Your Outside Water Shut-Off Valve?

Every property is different, so your water shut-off valve can be in a variety of places! However, some locations are more common than others. If you need to turn your main water supply off soon, you may find your valve in one of the following locations:

1. Near the Main Water Supply Line
   Look near your main water supply line. This line generally enters your home through the utility room, crawl space, or basement.
2. In Your Basement or Utility Room
   Identify where your main water pipe enters your home—often along the basement or utility room wall. Look for a round, wheel-style valve or a lever-type valve.
3. In Your Home’s Crawl Space
   If your home has a crawl space, you may locate your main valve along the water pipe where it enters the crawl space. Look for a visible and accessible valve in this area.
4. In a Water Meter Box
   If your property has a water meter box, take a look inside. These are typically located near the front or side of the house, but sometimes, emergency shut-off water valves are located inside!
5. Near Your Outdoor Faucet
   Look near an outdoor faucet on the exterior wall of your house. You may find your home's main water shut-off valve nearby.
6. Around Your Water Heater
   While not typically common, some main water valves are installed near water heaters for convenience during regular maintenance and emergencies.
7. In the Bathroom or Kitchen
   Some properties have secondary shut-off valves. If you know your property does but can’t locate one, look in the bathroom and kitchen. Near toilets and under sinks are common locations.

Most homeowners own the water service line from the shut-off valve near their property line to their home. This makes them responsible for replacing the main water shut-off valves. In fact, homeowners are typically responsible for all main valve maintenance, repairs, and replacements.

While every property is different, you can generally follow the steps below to turn off your main water valve:

1. Locate the main water valve.
2. Identify the type of valve—gate, ball, and globe are all common types.
3. Turn off the valve. You can turn off a gate valve and globe valve by turning the valve handle clockwise. If you have a ball valve, turn the lever handle 90 degrees until it’s perpendicular to the pipe. If it’s a horizontal ball valve, turn it so it’s pointing up and down.
4. Check the valve. Make sure it’s fully closed and check for leaks.

Replacing main water shut-off valves can be a multi-step process that is best left in the capable hands of the experts. Most experienced plumbing professionals take these steps to replace water shut-off valves:

1. Purchase a new replacement valve
2. Detach the water supply lines
3. Remove the old water shut-off valve
4. Prepare the pipe
5. Install the new valve

Since a well-maintained main water shut-off valve is essential for a well-functioning plumbing system, knowing when to replace it can be crucial. If you can relate to these signs, now might be the right time to contact your locally owned and operated Mr. Rooter Plumbing:

• The Valve Feels Stuck or Difficult to Turn
  When you have a plumbing emergency, the ability to quickly and effortlessly turn your main valve off and on can be crucial. If your main water valve feels stuck or is difficult to turn, the valve may be old and corroded. Now might be the right time to replace it.
• You See Rust or Corrosion
  Rust and corrosion can greatly compromise the integrity of your main water shut-off valve. Don’t delay in replacing your valve before you need to rely on it.
• The Valve Is Leaking
  Whether you have a steady stream of water or a small drip coming out of your water shut-off valve, now is the right time to consider replacement. Minor leaks can turn into significant ones before long. What’s more, leaks can contribute to a higher-than-average water bill.
• You Notice Damage
  While a main valve might be working fine now, noticeable damage may prompt you to consider replacement as a just-in-case measure. Cracks, dents, and bulges can all indicate that your water shut-off valve is at risk of failure in the future.
• You Have Flow and Pressure Issues
  Many factors can contribute to a home having water flow and pressure issues. Sometimes, these issues indicate that a shut-off valve is damaged or partially blocked.
• You’ve Had to Repair It Multiple Times
  While repairs can be a cost-effective way to maintain your plumbing systems, they aren’t always worth it in the long run. Multiple repair attempts may indicate that your valve is old, broken, and in need of replacement.

If you’re in the process of replacing your water shut-off valve, it doesn’t hurt to learn more about your available options. Service professionals install many different types of water shut-off valves!

• Multi-Turn Shut-Off Valves
  Multi-turn shut-off valves have handles and rubber gaskets. When they’re tightened, the rubber gasket is forced onto a seat in the middle of the valve to restrict water. Loosening the handle allows water to flow freely through the valve.
• Quarter-Turn Valves
  Quarter-turn valves have handles on valve stems. When you twist the handle, a steel ball with a hole in the center pivots. The open position allows water to flow through the hole easily. When you turn the handle a quarter turn in the other direction, the water flow stops.
• Straight Stop Valves
  Straight stop valves have aligned inlets and outlets. If your supply line comes through your floor, you likely have a straight stop valve.
• Angle Valve
  If you have supply lines coming through your walls, you may have an angle valve. These valves have outlets that sit at a 90-degree angle from the supply line.
• Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX)
  PEX supply lines work with shut-off valves featuring push-to-connect (PTC), barbed, or compression fittings. Compression fittings can be connected with homeowner tools, while PTC connections require no special tools. If you have barbed fittings, you will likely need a crimp ring and crimping tool.
• Copper
  Copper supply lines typically work with PTC, sweat, and compression fittings. You must solder sweat fittings onto copper pipes.
• Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
  You can use CPVC supply lines with valves featuring PTC or threaded connections.
• Galvanized Steel
  If you have galvanized steel pipes, you can screw female iron pipe (FIP) connections onto your supply line.

Most residential plumbing systems have brass valves, which are both reliable and durable. However, if you have low-pressure, low-temperature systems, such as ice makers, aquariums, or reverse osmosis systems, your local plumber may recommend plastic or polypropylene valves.

If your mains valve is no longer working at its best, our experts can find the problem and provide an efficient, effective solution. Homeowners choose Mr. Rooter Plumbing for some of the following reasons:

• Licensed and insured service professionals
• Locally owned and operated
• Upfront pricing
• Courtesy and professionalism
• Flexible appointment times
• 24/7 call answering
• Guaranteed parts and workmanship
• In-home estimates*
• Flat rate pricing*

*Not available at all locations. Contact your local Mr. Rooter Plumbing for more information.

Our customers also appreciate how we:

• Arrive on time
• Keep your property clean
• Provide a price before we start work
• Deliver high-quality repairs
• Stand behind our work