Turn The Water Off Quick!

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Where is my water shut-off valve?

When water is pouring into your home or business, don’t freeze, leap into action and shut off the water. If you don't know where the shut-off valve is or how to use it, read on! 

If you experience a water loss at your Charlotte, NC, property, shutting off the water supply valve can help protect your home from severe damage. If you aren’t prepared to shut off the water supply in an emergency, hundreds of gallons of water can enter your home while waiting for help. We have seen this happen. By shutting the water off quickly, drying time is significantly reduced, belongings are often saved, and the restoration process is much easier. So where is that shut-off valve?

Where should you look for the water shutoff?

• The master shut-off valve is located on the inside of the house near where the outdoor meter is located. If you aren’t sure where the water meter is, take a walk around the outside of your house and locate the meter. 
• If your home has a basement or crawlspace the shut-off valve is probably located on the wall closest to the street. Be sure that there is nothing blocking access to the shut-off valve. Anything that needs to be moved to access it will mean more water pouring into your home during an emergency.
• If your home is built on a slab and has no basement the valve is most likely in the garage or near the hot water heater. 

Found it!  Now what?

• Once you find the valve, it will either be a ball valve or a gate valve. Those names might not mean much to you, but they affect how to stop the water. A ball valve means there should just be a handle that must be turned perpendicular to the pipe, if it is a gate valve turn the handle clockwise until it is hand-tight.
• The water should turn off once the valve has been closed. If water continues to flow into your home make sure you properly shut off the water. If the valve is malfunctioning the water may need to be turned off closer to the source. 

Now, take a breath and call in a water specialist to mitigate the water. We know any damage that occurs to your home is overwhelming and can quickly disrupt plans. One call to SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County, and we will handle the rest so you don't have to stress!

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