Being prepared for an emergency in your home is always important even if the chances of it happening are very low, and certain plumbing areas are no exception. In particular, residents need to be aware of where to find shut-off valves for the water supplies in their homes, both the main shut-off valve and specific valves attached to certain features – in case of flooding or any other kind of major leaking.
At City Creek Plumbing, we’re happy to assist clients around Layton and Kaysville with all their kitchen and bathroom plumbing needs, from basic repairs and tune-ups to major fixture replacements – and also with important areas like these. In this two-part blog series, we’ll go over everything you should know about plumbing shut-off valves – why they’re important, and where to find both your main shut-off valve and certain specific ones.
Why Shut-Off Valves Are Vital
Before we dig into the specifics of shut-off valves, it’s important to understand why they’re so vital. In a worst-case scenario, like a major plumbing emergency such as a burst pipe or flooding, you need to be able to turn off the water supply quickly and completely – and for that purpose, these valves are invaluable.
By knowing where the main valve is located, and having a good understanding of any other valves on specific water-fed features, you can prevent serious damage to your home and plumbing system in an emergency. On the other hand, if you don’t know where these valves are, you could end up with a major disaster on your hands.
Main Shut-Off Valve
All homes are outfitted with a main water shut-off valve – typically located near the front of the house, either in the yard, close to the street or along an exterior wall. For most homes, it will be somewhere between 3 and 6 feet from wherever your home’s water service line enters your property from the city supply line.
It’s important to know exactly where this is located since it’s the primary way you can quickly shut off the entire flow of water into your home. As a general rule, try to avoid using this valve too often – if you do need to use it for repairs or other purposes, contact a professional plumber first to ensure everything is handled safely and correctly.
If you’re unsure where your main shut-off valve is located, don’t hesitate to contact us at City Creek Plumbing and we’ll be happy to come out and point it out for you.
In part two of our blog series, we’ll go over the various specific shut-off valves you may need to know about – for features like faucets and toilets – along with a few tips on how to maintain them. Stay tuned!