Stop Water Damage Fast by Knowing Where Your Shutoff Valves Are

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Halt water damage in its tracks! You can do it if you know where your home's water shutoff valves are.

You’re in the middle of a water emergency—water is pooling, seeping or spurting from a fixture, pipe or appliance—and you need to stop the damage ASAP. This is when you’ll be grateful that you know exactly how to do that, because every minute that the water flows into your home, the more severe and costly the damage gets.

You can stop a water disaster in its tracks. Here’s what you need to know.

Whole House Shutoff

If you have metered water, your shutoff valve should be on one side of your water meter. The meter itself could be in your basement or on an exterior wall of your house; it may even be in a concrete pit out at the street where your house’s water line splits off from the utility main line.

If you have well water, the shutoff valve is on the side of the pressure tank toward the house. It’s a good idea to shut the tank’s electricity off when shutting off the water, so that the tank’s motor doesn’t burn out trying to adjust for a phantom loss of pressure.

Shutoff for Appliances and Fixtures

Sink: Look for the shutoff valves just beneath the sink, inside of the cabinet or vanity if there is one. Typically, the hot water valve is on the left and the cold on the right.

Toilet: Look beneath the toilet tank for the valve, which usually is identified by its ribbed oval handle.

Washing machine: Look for these valves (hot and cold) where the washer hoses are attached to the house supply lines, typically in a box recessed into a wall. (Pro tip: if you are leaving your home for more than a few days, turn off these valves to prevent a flood.)

Dishwasher: This valve will be in one of two places. Look under the kitchen sink for a shutoff valve near a reducer coupling on the ½-inch hot water line. Not there? Look in your basement between the ceiling joists directly beneath the dishwasher.

Once you have your water shut off, call SERVPRO of West Hartford for experienced water damage remediation. We’ll respond promptly, evaluate your damage, remove and restore your affected property, thoroughly dry your home, repair or reconstruct your structure, and restore everything to pre-water damage condition.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860.206.6141) any time.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with water, sewage, storm, mold, fire and other damage.

SERVPRO of West Hartford
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.206.6141
24-hour emergency service

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property