The Importance of Locating Your Water Shut-Off Valves

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Most of us are probably glad to get home after a long day of stress at work, fighting traffic, and running errands. Because home is where our heart is. It’s our shelter from the everyday craziness and we have confidence that everything will work as it should – until it doesn’t.

A breakdown in your Greene County home could be as simple as a burned-out bulb, something a little more serious like a broken appliance, or a disastrous event, such as when your plumbing breaks or fails or a water-fed appliance like your dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater springs a leak. Then you may be facing severe water damage.

It’s amazing how much water damage can be caused by a broken water pipe and how quickly it happens. And that’s if you’re home at the time. Now imagine you’re away when the break occurs. Until the water source is cut off, it will spread throughout your home, damaging floors, walls, and most of your property.

This is why if a pipe or water-fed appliance breaks in your home or business, the first step that must be taken is turning off the water source! It could be a water feed to an appliance or toilet. But if you can’t find one or you have busted plumbing, you’ll need to shut off the main water valve for your home or business.

If you’ll be away for a while, take the initiative and turn off the main water valve before leaving. This small but crucial action can save thousands of dollars you’d have to pay to fix water damage in your home or business.

But regrettably, few Greene County property owners try to find out where their emergency shut-off valves are located. But knowing this basic piece of information may save your property from being destroyed and save you thousands in water damage restoration costs.

3 Ways to Find Your Water Shut-off Valve

1. Look for it on the inside perimeter of your home since water first enters your house there. It’s likely on the side of the house facing the street as that’s where the water main is located. (Note: This is standard when connected to a municipal water supply, but well water can enter the house from any side.)

2. Find the valve in your property inspection report. Look in the plumbing section to locate the shut-off valve and see a picture of the valve.

3. Find the streetside shut-off valve. Look for a valve inside your water main that should be located at your property line near the street called a curb stop valve. It’ll be at ground level. If you can’t shut it off, call your water company and they may be able to tell you how to do it or send a technician out to help you.

Give a friend or trustworthy neighbor a key to your home. If a water emergency happens when you’re away, they’ll be able to cut the water supply off.

If a water damage disaster does strike, leaving your Greene County property soaked, FIRST SHUT OFF YOUR WATER VALVE, then call on the water damage professionals at SERVPRO of Springfield / Greene County to mitigate, cleanup, and restore your home or business.