Where Are Your Home’s Shutoff Valves?

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

You can stop a flood in your home or business by turning off the water at its source, but you have to know where the shutoff valves are.

It’s a well-known fact of the homeowner’s life: pipes burst, fixtures leak and appliances flood. Costly water damage happens fast, but if you know how, you can quickly stop the deluge by shutting off the flow of water at its source.

Take a few minutes today to locate all of the shutoff valves in your home and you’ll be better prepared to respond to a water disaster emergency.

Whole house shutoff

If you have a well, look for the shutoff valve on the house side of the pressure tank. (You should also cut power to the tank so it doesn't detect a phantom pressure loss and burn out trying to compensate.)

If your home has metered water, look for the shutoff valve on either side of the water meter. (Your meter could be located in the basement, mounted on an exterior wall or even out by the street in a concrete "meter pit" where the household feed line meets the utility main.)

Whole house hot water shutoff

There should be a valve on the hot-water outlet of your water heater, which controls all the hot water to your house. (If there isn't a valve on your hot water heater, you or your plumber should install one.)

Toilet shutoff

The shutoff valve, which typically has a ribbed oval handle, should be under the toilet tank.

Sink shutoff

These shutoffs usually sit just beneath the sink, within the cabinet or vanity if you have one. The hot water valve is usually on the left and the cold water valve on the right.

Dishwasher shutoff

Look first under the kitchen sink to locate a reducer coupling and shutoff valve leading to the dishwasher on the 1/2-inch hot-water sink-supply line. If it’s not there, go to your basement and check for it between the ceiling joists just below the dishwasher.

Washing machine shutoff

You’ll find the hot and cold shutoff valves where the house-supply lines meet the washer hoses. Make it a practice to always close the valves when leaving home for an extended period.

If you do suffer damage to your home from a water disaster, call on an experienced disaster recovery company like SERVPRO of West Hartford, which has specialized training, expert staff and the latest equipment to help you restore your home and possessions.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860.206.6141) any time.

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If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property