Shutoff a Water Supply-Shutoff at the Water Main
When you need to shut the water supply off to the entire house or when a local plumbing fixture has no local shutoff valve, the place to go is your home’s water meter.
Water Main Shutoff Vales © Home-Cost.com 2006
- At the water meter you’ll find a water supply line coming into the house from the outside.
- Between it and the water meter is a shutoff valve. On the other side of the water meter is another shutoff valve.
- To shut off the water to the house, turn off the valve located BEFORE the water meter, on the supply side.
Shutoff Locally at the Sink or Toilet
Many plumbing fixtures have a local shutoff for the cold and if required, the hot water line.
Toilet Shutoff Valve © Home-Cost.com 2006
- To turn off the water supply to a plumbing fixture, locate its shutoff valve.
- The valve(s) is usually located directly under the fixture as in the case of a sink or a toilet.
- Once located, turn off the appropriate valve.
Shutoff Locally at the Tub or Shower
Locating water shut off valves for tubs and showers are not as easy as sinks or toilets and are usually concealed.
Access Panel © Home-Cost.com 2006
- Look around the tub or shower for an access panel. It may be on the other side of the wall as the tub or shower.
- If it is not found in an access panel, then it is located under the floor in the basement or in a ceiling access panel in the floor below.
- Once located, turn off the appropriate valve.
* By Bob Formisano, About.com Guide
