• Be Aware
    • Hazards
      • Earthquake
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
      • Household Fire Dangers
      • Flooding
        • Turn Around – Don’t Drown
      • Hazardous Spills
      • High Winds
      • Ice Storm
      • Lightning
      • Power Outages
        • Generator Safety
        • Carbon Monoxide Dangers
      • Severe Storms & Thunderstorms
      • Tornado
    • Radio Lexington
    • Get Involved
      • CERT
    • CSEPP
      • History of CSEPP
      • CSEPP in Kentucky
      • Blue Grass Army Depot
      • Chemical Agent Disposal
      • CSEPP in Fayette County
      • Zones
    • Get the BeReady Phone App
    • NOAA Weather Radio
    • Outdoor Warning Sirens
      • Siren FAQ
    • How to Be Prepared for Emergencies – American Sign Language
  • Make a Plan
    • Planning for AFN/Disability Groups
    • Equine Preparedness Plans
    • Farm Preparedness
    • Pet Preparedness Plans
    • Senior Preparedness Plans
    • Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • Shelter in Place Plans
    • Special Events-How to get a permit
    • Travel Plans
    • Utility Shutoff Plans
    • Ready Kat
  • Build a Kit
    • Your financial emergency kit
    • Vehicle Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Kits
    • Home Emergency Kits
    • Pet Emergency Kits
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Emergency Operations Center
    • Contact Us
    • Training
    • Library
  • en English
    en Englishes Spanishar Arabicfr Frenchhi Hindija Japanesekm Khmerko Koreanne Nepalipt Portugueseru Russiansw Swahili
en English
en Englishes Spanishar Arabicfr Frenchhi Hindija Japanesekm Khmerko Koreanne Nepalipt Portugueseru Russiansw Swahili
Be Ready Lexington
  • Be Aware
    • Hazards
      • Earthquake
      • Extreme Cold
      • Extreme Heat
      • Household Fire Dangers
      • Flooding
        • Turn Around – Don’t Drown
      • Hazardous Spills
      • High Winds
      • Ice Storm
      • Lightning
      • Power Outages
        • Generator Safety
        • Carbon Monoxide Dangers
      • Severe Storms & Thunderstorms
      • Tornado
    • Radio Lexington
    • Get Involved
      • CERT
    • CSEPP
      • History of CSEPP
      • CSEPP in Kentucky
      • Blue Grass Army Depot
      • Chemical Agent Disposal
      • CSEPP in Fayette County
      • Zones
    • Get the BeReady Phone App
    • NOAA Weather Radio
    • Outdoor Warning Sirens
      • Siren FAQ
    • How to Be Prepared for Emergencies – American Sign Language
  • Make a Plan
    • Planning for AFN/Disability Groups
    • Equine Preparedness Plans
    • Farm Preparedness
    • Pet Preparedness Plans
    • Senior Preparedness Plans
    • Hazard Mitigation Plan
    • Shelter in Place Plans
    • Special Events-How to get a permit
    • Travel Plans
    • Utility Shutoff Plans
    • Ready Kat
  • Build a Kit
    • Your financial emergency kit
    • Vehicle Emergency Kits
    • Emergency Kits
    • Home Emergency Kits
    • Pet Emergency Kits
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Forms
    • Newsletters
    • Emergency Operations Center
    • Contact Us
    • Training
    • Library
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • YouTube

  • RSS

Utilities

Water Cutoff Valve 101

Water Cutoff Valve 101
DEM Blogger
February 21, 2015

Cutoff ValveFor many homeowners and business owners, it’s not the below zero temperatures that are the problem with pipes, it’s when temperatures get above freezing, the water thaws and pours out of the pipe that’s burst due to the freeze.

It’s important that you know where the main cutoff valve is for water service in your home or business.

This picture shows a typical cutoff valve.  It’s close to where the main water pipe comes into your home or business. Typically it’s in the basement and comes out of the wall or floor. If you don’t have a basement, it will come out of the floor or a wall at the lowest level. It can be in a closet, behind a water heater or access panel. In some homes with attached garages, it can be there.

If you have a water leak or a burst pipe, the first thing to do is turn the water off and minimize the damage. To close most valves, turn the handle counter clockwise. Other valves may just have a handle that you turn a half turn to the off position.

It’s important to “exercise” this valve every three months.  Just make sure you can turn it a full turn. Then open it all the way and back it off a quarter turn. If you don’t exercise this valve every so often, it can “freeze” in place.  If this happens and have a water emergency in your home or business, the only way to turn off the water will be from the main shutoff valve in the street. Only a plumber or the water company can do this.

Here’s a video that explains how to find the water shutoff valve.

More about what to do with frozen pipes and how to prevent them from happening

Related Items
Utilities
February 21, 2015
DEM Blogger

Related Items

More in Utilities

Be Ready for Power Outages

DEM BloggerFebruary 2, 2022
Read More

Generator Safety

DEM BloggerFebruary 2, 2022
Read More

How to report utility outages and breaks

DEM BloggerFebruary 12, 2021
Read More

Prevent and Thaw Frozen Pipes

DEM BloggerJanuary 21, 2019
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Copyright © 2018.

Reminder: Power Outage Information
One Thing Wednesday: Water Recap