Do this on a calm day
When a drain backs up or a pipe bursts, nobody wants to be digging through shrubs looking for a cleanout or guessing which valve is the main. Walk around the house once, fill in the worksheet below, and tape a copy inside a cabinet near the laundry or water heater.
Many Buena Park homes from the 1950s through 1970s have the main water shutoff where the supply line enters the house, plus a valve at the meter near the street. The sewer cleanout is often along the foundation or in the front yard. Your home may differ, which is why it is worth checking yours.
How to fill in the map
- Sketch the outline.Draw a simple box for the house, mark the street side, driveway and any large trees.
- Find the main water shutoff.Look where the supply pipe enters the house, often near a hose bib on the street side. Mark it, and note whether it is a gate valve or a quarter-turn ball valve.
- Find the meter.Locate the water meter box near the street. Note it, but treat the meter itself as the water utility's equipment.
- Find the sewer cleanouts.Check along the foundation and in the front yard. Mark each one and note the cap type.
- Mark the gas meter.Note where the gas meter is. Do not operate the gas valve unless you have been shown how and it is an emergency.
- List fixture shutoffs.Note the small valves under sinks, behind toilets and for the washer and water heater.
Worksheet
| Item | Location (describe it) | Tool needed | Checked on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main water shutoff | |||
| Water meter box | |||
| Sewer cleanout 1 | |||
| Sewer cleanout 2 | |||
| Gas meter | |||
| Water heater shutoff | |||
| Washer valves |
Before you file the map away
- Try the main water shutoff gently to make sure it turns
- Clear plants and soil away from cleanout caps
- Make sure each cleanout cap is present and tight
- Keep a valve key or wrench where the map says it is
- Show every adult in the house where things are
Common questions
What if the main shutoff will not turn?
Do not force it. An old valve can break. Note it and ask a plumber to service or replace it before you need it.
Can I use the valve at the meter?
The meter and its valve belong to the water utility. In an emergency, ask the City of Buena Park's water utility how they want residents to handle it.
Why mark trees on the map?
Large trees near the sewer path are a common source of root intrusion, and the map helps a plumber guess where the line runs.
General information for Buena Park, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.