The plumbing in your Phoenix home, while not all that complex, is quite impressive array of pipes, valves, and fixtures. This means that lots of stuff can go wrong at any given time, and many of these issues can result in serious damage if not addressed immediately.
As a homeowner, it’s quite important that you know exactly where your main shut-off valve is located so that when a problem arises you can act fast! And that’s what we’ll be talking about today, so follow along with the plumbing experts at AC by J while we help you understand where your main shut-off is, and how to operate it!
Have a plumbing emergency on your hands? Don’t wait! Contact our emergency plumbers by calling us!
What Is the Main Water Shut-Off?
If you’re unfamiliar, the answer is simple. All of the freshwaters that comes to your home via your utility service is brought in along a single main access line. Every one of these systems is always fitted with a simple shut-off system that, when operated, will immediately shut off all water coming to your home.
This is important because when you encounter a major plumbing problem, such as a burst pipe, slab leak, or similar issue, shutting off your main line will cease all incoming flow. This can save you tons of stress and repair costs, as well as protect your home against water damage.
Where Is Your Water Shut-Off Located?
Luckily this should actually be quite easy to find out. Shut-offs are only in a few set locations for homes and are almost always located alongside the water meter for your home. Let’s cover the most common locations for water main:
- The front yard. In the vast majority of cases, this is where yours will be. The valve is likely located in a dug and cemented pit near where your yard meets the curb, covered by a removable metal plate. When looking inside you should see a meter and a set of two valves, one on each side of the meter. Your house shut-off is the one closest to your home.
- Along an exterior wall. In less common cases the meter and main might be located along an exterior wall, frequently in the back area of the home.
- Basements and crawl spaces. This is more common in colder climates, but you may also find these in older homes or small living spaces. The setup is much the same as the ones described above, with there being two valves on either side of the meter. In this case, yours is the valve on the left.
How Do I Operate My Main Shut-Off?
This step is typically a snap, but it pays to be prepared. Almost all modern shut-offs are a simple wheel or ball valve. In the case of a wheel valve (older homes most typically), the wheel is simply turned to the right in order to cut off water. A ball valve is even simpler, being an easy to operate lever that turns inward to cut off water.
In rare cases, your shut-off valve might require a wrench to turn a small valve catch. If this is the case you simply need to keep a wrench stored near the shut-off in case of emergencies.
Schedule Your Phoenix Area Plumbing Services Today!
Regardless of the size and scope of your plumbing needs, the experts at AC by J can make your Arizona home a place of comfort complete with a fully operating plumbing system. No matter the time of day, customers throughout the Arizona area have come to depend on us for all their plumbing, air conditioning, and heating needs. As a local, full-service plumbing, and HVAC company, we are ready to help solve any home comfort problem you have.
Are you ready to schedule plumbing services in the Phoenix, Arizona area? Contact our expert plumbers today!
