Where Is the Water Shut-off Valve in My House?

• Most rural homes get their water from a well. The shut-off valve will be located near your well’s pressure tank. You may see two valves, one before and after the pressure gauge. Shut them both off in an emergency.
• Some homes have a separate well house located away from the home. If this is the case, there will typically be a shut-off valve at the well and one where the water enters the house. In an emergency, shut off both valves.
• Instead of shutting off your main water supply, you can also temporarily kill the power to the well pump to shut off your water supply. Do this by flipping the breaker in your fuse panel that powers your well pump. No power means no water!

• If you get your water from the city, your water shut-off valve will typically be located on the side of your home’s foundation facing the street. Look for a water pipe coming out of the foundation or ground that eventually connects to your hot water heater. Gas and water lines can look similar, so always be certain you’re turning the correct valve. On new construction, gas lines typically have yellow knobs and water lines have blue knobs.
• If you want to cut off the water supply before it reaches the house, there will also be a second shut-off valve near the street, in an underground concrete, metal or plastic box next to the curb. These can be hard to find, covered in dirt, or may require a special tool to turn off.

Follow the water supply pipes from your hot water heater or kitchen sink backwards until the pipe goes into a wall or ground. No valve? Then it could mean the shut-off valve is in an underground utility box in your yard. This can become a treasure hunt if it’s been a long time since someone opened it.

If you live in an older home, the shut-off valve could also be located some place inconspicuous, such as an access panel inside your home or even under your kitchen sink. Look for removable panels in the walls, cabinets, floor or even ceiling. Even if you don’t have appliances in the crawl space, the shut-off valve may be down there, requiring you to crawl on your belly with a flashlight to find it and shut it off.

Once you locate your water shut-off valve, mark it with fluorescent tape or flagging and make sure everyone in the home knows where it is. This simple step can save you money and frustration next time a disaster strikes. If it’s too late, our expert water damage remediation services are here to help.

Choose Rainbow Restoration for water damage restoration services you can trust. Give us a call or request an appointment online.