Forget the upstairs too as shut off valves are going to be located on the ground floor.
Where to find main water shut off valve in house.
Learn how remove crud and replace your main water shutoff valve here.
Locating the proper valve.
The valve on the left is the house side main shutoff.
In newer homes these will probably be ball valves.
The first step is to physically search for your house s main water shut off valve on the inside of the home.
For typical city dwellings there are actually two main.
Basements the shut off valve is typically located near the front foundation wall.
If your house is on a slab your main water shut off valve should be near your water heater tank.
At that point you re ready to shut down the water and replace the valve.
Although most if not all of your accessories have their own shut off valves located close to them under the sink for the faucet for example there is a way to ensure all the house s plumbing is turned off at one time.
Where to find the main water shut off valve.
This valve is usually in the basement or on an outside wall in a utility area of the house.
To remove the old valve you ll have to undo the coupling on the house side of the water meter.
The valve on the right in this photo is marie s street side main shutoff.
Water shut off valves may have round wheel handles or lever handles.
It could be shaped like a ring called a gate valve or it could be a lever type called a ball valve.
Then loosen the coupling nut and remove the nipple from the old valve.
Turning off this valve by turning it clockwise cuts off the water supply to the entire house.
The valve is typically within 3 5 feet of where the main water enters.
For those with basements it will usually be located here.
It should be under the water heater or at the top of it.
If it s a gate valve turn the valve right to shut the water off.
The water main shutoff valve could be in a number of places depending on the age of your home and the climate of.
The shut off valve is almost always located near the perimeter of your home.
That s where the main water shut off valve comes into play.
Here s how to switch off the water main shutoff valve.
Shut off the street side valve where the water enters the house.
There s no need to check the central portions of the house.
The main shutoff valve allows a full flow of water through the pipe when it s open.
Typically it will be located on the perimeter of the house since that is where the water first enters your house.