Most of us know a friend or family member who has had a major water leak at their house.

They are often found when people get back from vacation or when they were out of town for work. Many people who have gone through it call it “the flood” because of the amount of water that caused damage inside the house.

The best thing you can do to prevent this from happening to you is knowing where the main water shutoff is in your home.

Whether a toilet overflows, a water heater leaks, or you have a frozen water pipe, you can minimize the damage by shutting off the water to the entire house before you call the plumber or your insurance company. You can turn off your water before you go on vacation so you don’t have to lose sleep over what could happen. If your house is vacant you can shut it off without having the turn off the water with the water department.

So, where IS your main water shutoff?

That depends on your house, but most shut-off valves are found in an interior closet or pantry on the main level. Older homes built in the 1970s or older may have them under the house in the crawlspace area which are harder to access. Some new homes put them in the garage.

Home inspectors will note the location in their reports so if you have a copy of the report from when you bought your home you can find that information. Otherwise you can look for it or hire a handyman or plumber to locate it for you. New homes sometimes have a separate shut off for the exterior water faucets and the interior water. The main shut off is often not labeled – it is simply a handle or knob. It is a good idea to label it so there is no confusion if you need to use it.

The shut-off location is important to have but it is also important for others to have.

Your spouse and teenage children should know the location in case of a water emergency; the babysitter should know for the same reason. If you are a landlord, your tenant should know so they can shut the water off as well. This knowledge can save you a lot of money and headache. About Amy

Amy Shair, has been an Award-Winning RE/MAX United Agent for 20+ Years. Amy’s passion of education for Sellers and best options for Buyers has made her a top tier Agent.  Amy will “give it to you straight” with “no fluff”. Amy’s clients appreciate her vast experience and straightforward insight working on their behalf.  Contact Amy at (919) 469-6539 or Contact Amy here.