Our Stories

Sometime this fall, before the cold sets in, locate your main water shut-off valve and hang an I.D. tag on it so you can find it quickly in an emergency. In many homes, it is located near the water meter or close to where the water pipe enters the home. Note: If your pipes do freeze, you will need to be able to turn off your water immediately. Do NOT attempt to thaw the pipes without doing so.

It’s a good idea to test your main water shut-off valve to be sure it works properly. To test, slowly close it. If you have a ball valve, it generally only requires a quarter turn to close. Gate valves are generally closed by turning the handle clockwise and should turn easily. You may need to have it serviced if it does not close easily.

Once the shut-off valve is completely closed, check sinks and other water fixtures to make sure you found the main water valve and that it is working properly. If no water comes out of any faucets, CONGRATULATIONS, you found your shut-off valve!

Need a tag? Click below to download the print-ready file.

Checklist to help avoid frozen pipes this winter: