Identifying My Main Water Shutoff Valve / SetupHow do I fix a shutoff valve that isn't opening?No water after reopening main water valveHow can I replace my main water shutoff valve?Is it worth replacing globe valve with ball valve for my main shutoff?How do I replace this toilet shutoff valve?How to turn off water to replace main shutoff on private wellCan I use a PVC ball valve for the water main at the street?What is this water cap/valve for?Unable to locate shower shutoff valveWashing machine shutoff valve won't close
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Identifying My Main Water Shutoff Valve / Setup
How do I fix a shutoff valve that isn't opening?No water after reopening main water valveHow can I replace my main water shutoff valve?Is it worth replacing globe valve with ball valve for my main shutoff?How do I replace this toilet shutoff valve?How to turn off water to replace main shutoff on private wellCan I use a PVC ball valve for the water main at the street?What is this water cap/valve for?Unable to locate shower shutoff valveWashing machine shutoff valve won't close
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I've owned my first home for a few years now, but have never truly known where my main water shutoff valve was, mainly because I've never really known how to identify it. I've looked around my utility room where my furnace, hot water heater, etc are, but nothing matches what I recall from my parent's home when they shut off the water there. For reference, my home was built in 1985.
After doing some searching via Google Images, this is what I believe might be the valve for my home:
The area I've circled in red is what I believe to be the main shutoff valve, but wanted to confirm before I messed with anything (note: I do not have any need to do anything with this at this time, just something I'd like to know in the event of an emergency). There are many valves in my utility room with my washer, dryer, furnace, hot water heater, etc. But based off of the images I've found from Googling, this seems to match some of the examples I've seen.
Slight side note, I'm also slightly confused at what looks to be a ground wire going from the green circle in the above image to the blue circle in the above image. This seems unnecessary and / or abnormal, but I'm not too familiar with how any of this would be set up "properly".
Here are some close ups:

plumbing water shutoff
add a comment |
I've owned my first home for a few years now, but have never truly known where my main water shutoff valve was, mainly because I've never really known how to identify it. I've looked around my utility room where my furnace, hot water heater, etc are, but nothing matches what I recall from my parent's home when they shut off the water there. For reference, my home was built in 1985.
After doing some searching via Google Images, this is what I believe might be the valve for my home:
The area I've circled in red is what I believe to be the main shutoff valve, but wanted to confirm before I messed with anything (note: I do not have any need to do anything with this at this time, just something I'd like to know in the event of an emergency). There are many valves in my utility room with my washer, dryer, furnace, hot water heater, etc. But based off of the images I've found from Googling, this seems to match some of the examples I've seen.
Slight side note, I'm also slightly confused at what looks to be a ground wire going from the green circle in the above image to the blue circle in the above image. This seems unnecessary and / or abnormal, but I'm not too familiar with how any of this would be set up "properly".
Here are some close ups:

plumbing water shutoff
add a comment |
I've owned my first home for a few years now, but have never truly known where my main water shutoff valve was, mainly because I've never really known how to identify it. I've looked around my utility room where my furnace, hot water heater, etc are, but nothing matches what I recall from my parent's home when they shut off the water there. For reference, my home was built in 1985.
After doing some searching via Google Images, this is what I believe might be the valve for my home:
The area I've circled in red is what I believe to be the main shutoff valve, but wanted to confirm before I messed with anything (note: I do not have any need to do anything with this at this time, just something I'd like to know in the event of an emergency). There are many valves in my utility room with my washer, dryer, furnace, hot water heater, etc. But based off of the images I've found from Googling, this seems to match some of the examples I've seen.
Slight side note, I'm also slightly confused at what looks to be a ground wire going from the green circle in the above image to the blue circle in the above image. This seems unnecessary and / or abnormal, but I'm not too familiar with how any of this would be set up "properly".
Here are some close ups:

plumbing water shutoff
I've owned my first home for a few years now, but have never truly known where my main water shutoff valve was, mainly because I've never really known how to identify it. I've looked around my utility room where my furnace, hot water heater, etc are, but nothing matches what I recall from my parent's home when they shut off the water there. For reference, my home was built in 1985.
After doing some searching via Google Images, this is what I believe might be the valve for my home:
The area I've circled in red is what I believe to be the main shutoff valve, but wanted to confirm before I messed with anything (note: I do not have any need to do anything with this at this time, just something I'd like to know in the event of an emergency). There are many valves in my utility room with my washer, dryer, furnace, hot water heater, etc. But based off of the images I've found from Googling, this seems to match some of the examples I've seen.
Slight side note, I'm also slightly confused at what looks to be a ground wire going from the green circle in the above image to the blue circle in the above image. This seems unnecessary and / or abnormal, but I'm not too familiar with how any of this would be set up "properly".
Here are some close ups:

plumbing water shutoff
plumbing water shutoff
edited Aug 15 at 1:46
William
asked Aug 14 at 3:36
WilliamWilliam
1507 bronze badges
1507 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
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oldest
votes
Yes, that looks like your main shutoff valve. It's normally the first valve on your water supply from where it enters your house, and typically before the water meter. In my house there is another valve on the other side of the meter that makes it possible to swap out the meter without draining the house.
The copper wire is part of our house's grounding. It jumps around the meter and ensures that there is an electrically secure path "through" the meter. Because of the union joints and that some meter bodies are not electrically conductive, it provides a secure path. Also when the meter is being replaced.
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
2
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
2
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
|
show 1 more comment
Yes it is your main shut off valve. I'm assuming this is in a basement, from the looks. You're good on that.
The best experiment to prove this out is to turn the handle clockwise until it stops. This usually takes about 10 turns.
The wire attached is a grounding conductor which more than likely goes inside your breaker box .
add a comment |
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2 Answers
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oldest
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2 Answers
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Yes, that looks like your main shutoff valve. It's normally the first valve on your water supply from where it enters your house, and typically before the water meter. In my house there is another valve on the other side of the meter that makes it possible to swap out the meter without draining the house.
The copper wire is part of our house's grounding. It jumps around the meter and ensures that there is an electrically secure path "through" the meter. Because of the union joints and that some meter bodies are not electrically conductive, it provides a secure path. Also when the meter is being replaced.
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
2
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
2
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
|
show 1 more comment
Yes, that looks like your main shutoff valve. It's normally the first valve on your water supply from where it enters your house, and typically before the water meter. In my house there is another valve on the other side of the meter that makes it possible to swap out the meter without draining the house.
The copper wire is part of our house's grounding. It jumps around the meter and ensures that there is an electrically secure path "through" the meter. Because of the union joints and that some meter bodies are not electrically conductive, it provides a secure path. Also when the meter is being replaced.
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
2
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
2
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
|
show 1 more comment
Yes, that looks like your main shutoff valve. It's normally the first valve on your water supply from where it enters your house, and typically before the water meter. In my house there is another valve on the other side of the meter that makes it possible to swap out the meter without draining the house.
The copper wire is part of our house's grounding. It jumps around the meter and ensures that there is an electrically secure path "through" the meter. Because of the union joints and that some meter bodies are not electrically conductive, it provides a secure path. Also when the meter is being replaced.
Yes, that looks like your main shutoff valve. It's normally the first valve on your water supply from where it enters your house, and typically before the water meter. In my house there is another valve on the other side of the meter that makes it possible to swap out the meter without draining the house.
The copper wire is part of our house's grounding. It jumps around the meter and ensures that there is an electrically secure path "through" the meter. Because of the union joints and that some meter bodies are not electrically conductive, it provides a secure path. Also when the meter is being replaced.
edited Aug 14 at 11:54
mmathis
7,6486 gold badges30 silver badges51 bronze badges
7,6486 gold badges30 silver badges51 bronze badges
answered Aug 14 at 3:52
DaveMDaveM
1,2075 silver badges18 bronze badges
1,2075 silver badges18 bronze badges
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
2
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
2
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
|
show 1 more comment
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
2
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
2
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
Worth noting that depending on the materials of the meter, any electrical conductivity between it and the pipework is broken on purpose to prevent galvanic corrosion.
– JMac
Aug 14 at 13:06
2
2
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
Also worth noting that you should turn the valve fully open and then closing it a little (e.g. a quarter turn). This helps to stop the valve binding in the fully open position. (If it is already jammed it would be better to find out now instead of when water is spraying out somewhere!)
– rolinger
Aug 14 at 16:12
2
2
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
It may also be worth noting that in some places (I know every house in my city has it), there can be a second valve outside the building (mine is buried in the front yard), intended to be used if the main shutoff valve needs replacement. Where I live this valve is owned and maintained by the city itself and is also what they use as an emergency shutoff if needed.
– mbrig
Aug 14 at 19:03
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@rolinger - I appreciate the additional words of warning. I tested the valve slightly by checking if it was already fully open and it mostly was. I then closed it 2 - 3 rotations and it seemed to rotate fairly easily. After that point there was a bit of tension, so I decided to stop as to not cause any issues; right now my water is working fine, I don't want to mess with anything too much and cause any unexpected side effects. Is that a fair test to ensure it's not "already jammed"?
– William
Aug 15 at 1:30
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
@mbrig - I can 100% confirm that is true for my situation. I know for a fact that I have a curb shut off valve towards the road in my front lawn. A year or so ago the town spray pained it blue and marked it with a blue flag. However, I do not have the tool to operate that value, nor do I want to do that since, from what I understand, it's supposed to be maintained by the town.
– William
Aug 15 at 1:36
|
show 1 more comment
Yes it is your main shut off valve. I'm assuming this is in a basement, from the looks. You're good on that.
The best experiment to prove this out is to turn the handle clockwise until it stops. This usually takes about 10 turns.
The wire attached is a grounding conductor which more than likely goes inside your breaker box .
add a comment |
Yes it is your main shut off valve. I'm assuming this is in a basement, from the looks. You're good on that.
The best experiment to prove this out is to turn the handle clockwise until it stops. This usually takes about 10 turns.
The wire attached is a grounding conductor which more than likely goes inside your breaker box .
add a comment |
Yes it is your main shut off valve. I'm assuming this is in a basement, from the looks. You're good on that.
The best experiment to prove this out is to turn the handle clockwise until it stops. This usually takes about 10 turns.
The wire attached is a grounding conductor which more than likely goes inside your breaker box .
Yes it is your main shut off valve. I'm assuming this is in a basement, from the looks. You're good on that.
The best experiment to prove this out is to turn the handle clockwise until it stops. This usually takes about 10 turns.
The wire attached is a grounding conductor which more than likely goes inside your breaker box .
answered Aug 14 at 4:08
Retired ElectricianRetired Electrician
5091 silver badge7 bronze badges
5091 silver badge7 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
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