The Importance of Water Shut Off Valves

As a homeowner we know you have a lot on your plate, and in emergencies it is hard to remember where important parts of your home are. But, it is vital that you know where and when to use your home’s main water shut off valve. By keeping this in mind when your home has a major leak can save you hundreds in damages. No one wants to have buckets of water dripping on their heads and no way to stop it before help arrives.

Where do you find your shut off valve?

Knowing where your water valve shut off is located can save you tons down the line when there is an emergency. Most of the time shut off valves can be found outside your home in a ground box. This may not be the case for town homes or other residences, so it is important for you to find and mark where it is.

Important things to remember when shutting off your valve:

When turning off your water shut off valve, go slow and steady. If you open it too fast or too slow, you may end up doing more harm than good. The water pressure alone can break off old corrosion or even damage pipes if it is turned on/off too fast.
Never try to “control” the pressure or flow of water to your home with your valve! It either goes ON or OFF.
- If you are having pressure issues, look into contacting us about a new Pressure Regulating Valve.
- Turning it all the way OFF and there is still water leaking consistently after 15 minutes, then your valve could be malfunctioning.
If you have an old “gate” style valve for your smaller sized pipes you may need to have a newer “ball” style valve installed.
You should be sure to only turn off your home’s water when it is absolutely necessary. It is not healthy for your plumbing to turn it on and off for longer than necessary or when it is not an emergency.
- Corrosion, calcium, and other build up can break off inside the pipe and lodge into fixtures.
- If you have an older home new leaks might appear from aging pipes..

When should you use your main shut off valve?

You should use your shut off valve only when you have an active emergency leak in your home. And you cannot either (a) turn off the leak with a local shut off valve/stop or (b) get a Four Star Plumbing Technician out to your home right away. Four Star Plumbing operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be at your home within an a short window.