Emergency Water Shut Off

The last thing any homeowner wants is a water emergency. Frozen pipes, leaks, low or no water pressure, or a pump that is starting and stopping multiple times a minute can cause major damage to your water system, and potentially, your home. While you might not have the experience to fix the problem, it’s essential that you know how to shut off your water. Everyone in your home should know where the main water shutoff valve is located so they can stop the water in an emergency. It’s also helpful to know this if you are leaving your home for an extended period.

There are some steps to shutting off either the well water or the city water supply to your home.

Shutting Your City Water Off From the Outside

If you are having issues outside your home—like a leak that is pooling up on the ground—you will need to shut off the water coming from the city water main. Many city water meter setups have two valves, one on the street side of the meter and one on the house side. Your supply line is usually near the end of your property line in a covered box within a “meter pit” underground. This pit will have a cover, sometimes made of steel or concrete.

In order to shut the water off from the meter pit, you will need special tools called a water meter key and curb stop key. You can purchase these at your local hardware store or online. The water meter key opens the lid to your meter pit and the curb stop key is used to turn the valve inside the pit. Once you fit the meter key into the “lock,” turn it counter-clockwise, and then tilt the key toward the outer edge of the box to lift the lid open. 

Please note: Be careful when opening the water meter pit box. Sometimes, small critters, reptiles, bugs, and other surprises are waiting for you. 

Next, use the curb stop tool to shut off the water by turning the ball valve 1/4 turn to make it perpendicular to the water pipe. If the ball valve is parallel, it is ON; if it is perpendicular (90° angle), it is OFF. Be sure not to tamper with the city shut-off side or the meter itself. It is illegal to tamper with, obstruct access to, or remove a water meter. If you have any doubts at all, call a professional. You can also call your city water provider.

Shutting Off Your Well Water

Fortunately, if you have a well, it is much simpler and faster than shutting off city water. It should be as simple as shutting off the electricity breaker that controls your well pump. Your breaker box is usually found in a garage, mechanical room, or laundry room. Before turning off the breaker for your well pump, check to see if it’s dedicated to the pump only; otherwise, anything else connected to it will lose power too.

To shut off the water supply from a well, locate the main shut-off valve—usually near the pressure tank or where the water line enters your home. Turn the valve clockwise to close it and stop the water flow. 

Shutting Your Water Off From the Inside

Every home is unique. So, these are just general locations; your home may be different.

• If you have a basement, the shut-off valve may be located near the front foundation wall. The main water may come through the concrete floor or the wall. The valve is typically within 3-5 feet of where the main water enters. In some cases, the main water supply may enter from a different area, such as a mechanical room, near the water heater or furnace. 
• If you have a crawl space, the shut-off valve may be located near the water heater or under the kitchen sink. If the valve is located in the crawlspace itself, consider installing a secondary valve in the living space for easier access in an emergency. 
• If your home is on a slab foundation, the shut-off valve will typically be located near the water heater or under the kitchen sink. 

What Kind of Valve Do You Have?

Once you find the shutoff, you will need to determine which kind of valve you have. There are two main types of shutoff valves: the gate valve and the ball valve.

The Gate Valve

Gate valves, common in older homes, have a round handle that must be turned several times to open or close. They’re meant to be either fully open or fully closed—running water through a partially open gate valve can wear down the metal and lead to failure. While gate valves are durable and can last for decades, they often become stiff if left untouched for years. If you haven’t closed your main shutoff valve since moving in, test it now. If it does not turn easily, then be careful applying more force. Forcing a stuck valve can cause it to break. If it won’t budge, call a professional.

The Ball Valve

Ball valves, common in newer homes, use a lever handle that turns just 90 degrees to control water flow. The valve is open when the handle is parallel to the pipe, and closed when it’s perpendicular. Homes with plastic or copper main water lines often have full-flow ball valves. To test yours, turn on a faucet, then close the valve—water should stop flowing.

Preventing Issues

If you’ll be away from home for more than a few days, consider shutting off the supply line to your tank. This simple precaution can help prevent a small leak from turning into a major flood, protecting your home from costly water damage.

Call a Water Professional

Once you shut off the water and the immediate risk is stopped, you’ll want to call a professional to fix the problem. C&J Well Co can help you solve your well issues and get your system up and running in no time. Contact us today with any questions or concerns!