Most people need to turn off the water supply to their home from time to time. There are many reasons why someone might need to do this. For instance, you may be leaving your home for some time or may have plumbing work scheduled. You may also need to do this is your water supply is broken or a pipe has burst. Emergencies can strike at any time, so it’s always best to know how to turn off your water supply.
What do I need to turn off my water supply?
The things you need to turn off your water supply can vary from one home to another. However, it’s best to have items including a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, pliers and a curb stop key at your home just in case these are required. You’ll also need to know where your local shutoff valves are. It’s likely that all your plumbing fixtures have their own shutoff valves. Once you know where these are, it’s easy to control the supply of water to these fixtures.
What is the main shutoff valve?
The main shutoff valve prevents the distribution of water around your home completely. If you are in the midst of an emergency, it’s unlikely that you’ll have time to seek out specific shutoff valves. This means it will probably be best to simply opt for the primary valve instead.
Switching off your water main supply at street level
If a pipe is leaking, this can damage not only your home but the area around it too. For this reason, you may need to turn off your water main supply at street level. If you don’t know where the stop tap is, you should look around the boundary of your property for a small plastic or iron cover. This cover may be marked with the latter W or WM. You’ll need to lift the lid to remove the pad and turn the stop tap clockwise so you can shut off the water supply.
Turning off your water main shutoff valve
When the weather gets extremely cold, water inside your pipes may freeze before expanding and bursting. If this happens, you will need to switch off your water main shutoff valve to avoid further damage. Once you have found the valve, you will need to turn the lever clockwise as this disconnects the water. You should only need to carry out a quarter-turn.
How Ability can help
If you are experiencing an issue with your water supply and feel it’s not safe to carry out a fix yourself, help is available. At Ability, we have many years of experience in overcoming issues related to water and plumbing. We can provide the outstanding plumbing, electrical and heating services you deserve whether you’re currently facing an emergency or not. To reach us today, use the online contact form, give us a call on 01892 514495 or send a message to info@ability.uk.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
