At Aqua Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Services Inc., you may wonder where your main water valve water shut is and what does main water valve look like? Every home is required to have one, but not every homeowner knows where it is.
Knowing how and where to shut off your home’s main water supply is just as important as knowing where your electrical panel is or how to fix a clogged toilet.
If you don’t know where your main water shut-off valve is, it’s time to locate it ASAP. If you ever end up with a plumbing leak, knowing this information can stop you from having a complete plumbing nightmare on your hands.
Where To Look For The Main Water Shut-Off Valve & What does it Look Like?
There are a few different places in your home that the main supply valve could be located. Keep in mind though, the shut-off valve is almost always located near the perimeter of your home and NOT in the central area. Also, it’s always going to be located on the ground floor — so if you have a basement, that’s the first place you should look.
1. Basements
The shut-off valve could be located near the front foundation wall. This means the main water may have come through the floor or through the wall.
2. Crawl Spaces
The shut-off valve may be inside your crawl space in your basement (if your home has one).
If you have a crawl space, but no basement, then the shut-off valve will typically be located near the water heater or under the kitchen sink.
Still can’t find your shut-off valve? If you’re still having difficulty, we suggest checking your inspection report (which is usually supplied to the homeowner during the purchase of a home). The location of your shut-off valve should be labeled in this report.
How Do You Turn Off The Main Valve?
You’ve finally found your main water shut-off valve, now how do you turn it off properly? If it’s a round wheel valve, turn it off by turning the handle clockwise (you may have to twist it at least two times).
Which Shut-Off Valve To Use For Specific Plumbing Fixtures
When a leak occurs, it’s not always a small drip from your kitchen sink. Sometimes, water bursts out, pools onto your floor, and creates havoc in your home. Now, before you start running to the main water shut-off valve, see if the fixture that’s leaking has its own shut-off switch (this helps prevent turning off all of the water to your home).
1. Toilet
If your toilet is leaking, there should be a small valve on the wall where your toilet sits against. Once you find it, turn the valve clockwise to stop the flow of water.
2. Sink
Underneath your sink (bathroom or kitchen), there’s a shut-off button that’s similar to the shut-off button for your toilet. Turn the handle clockwise to stop any water from leaking.
3. Washing Machine
Every washing machine has two valves — turn both of these valves clockwise to stop the water from flowing.
Emergency Plumbers in Skokie Can Help!
Ever feel like plumbing issues occur at the worse times…like in the middle of the night or when guests are over. Knowing where your main water shut-off valve can help put your plumbing stress at ease. Also, if you still need emergency help, our plumbing services in Skokie are always around — go ahead, put our number on your speed dial…we’ll have someone at your house within an hour of your call! That sort of fast service could help prevent a flooded toilet or bathtub from damaging your floors, walls, and ceilings.
Time is of the essence, contact Aqua Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at or use our online form!
