How to Find And Turn Off The Water Mains Shut-Off Valve
If you're going on vacation, doing maintenance inside the home, or fixing pipes in the home, it's important to know where the main water shut-off valve is located.
The mains water valve may be located either under the kitchen sink, under the stairs, or in the cellar, bathroom or utility room—or even in the wall of your residential unit.
As part of your Tenancy agreement, you are required to undertake minor repairs and maintenance to the property and know where your water mains shut-off valves are and how to turn them on or off.
As a tenant, you may think that knowing where your home's main water shut-off valves are and turning them on and off seems like too big a task but in fact, it is simple and takes only a few steps. Of course, you can call a contractor to do it but this will likely cost £80 upwards.
The video and the guide below will give you the basic steps for locating your water mains shut-off valves and how to turn them off.
How To Find The Main Water Shut-Off Valve Inside Your Residential Unit
The first place to check is under the kitchen sink. The mains water valve is often located in this area. If you don't see it here, check under the stairs or in the cellar, bathroom or utility room. Once you've located the valve, familiarize yourself with how it works so you can easily turn it off in an emergency.
How To Find The Main Water Shut-Off Valve Outside Your Residential Unit
The incoming water line usually comes through the foundation near the front side of your house. Follow this line up to the water metre.
The main water shut-off valve should be beside or close to the metre. If you're having trouble finding it, ask a neighbour for help.
How To Turn Off the Main Water Shut-Off Valve
The shut-off valves may be a wheel control or lever handle. It is perfectly safe to turn both the inside and outside shut-off valves. Simply rotate the handle clockwise until it's tight against the pipe. This will stop the flow of water into your home.
Learning How To Turn Off The Water Mains In Case Of Emergency Or Maintenance
It's important to know where your home's main water shut-off valve is located in case of an emergency or for maintenance that you are doing in your home.
But if you find that locating and turning off the mains shut-off valves has not been successful, please contact us on 01522503717 and we will be able to send out a contractor. However, if the repair needed falls under your responsibility as a tenant then you will be charged for the work.
Reminder That You May Be Charged - Where our contractor has arranged a time with you to attend and you postpone, cancel, or don't show up or where it is your fault for the appointment not proceeding you will be responsible for paying the call-out charge for the contractor and potentially any restocking fee for parts. Where the fault, issue or damage, is put down to your or other tenants, permitted occupiers, or guests' actions, you will be responsible for paying for the repair. These terms are already part of your Tenancy Agreement.