Where to find it
On most Fullerton houses the gas meter sits outside along a side yard, at the front corner of the house or near the garage, often close to the water heater closet. The shutoff is on the pipe coming up out of the ground, before the gas reaches the meter itself.
The valve has a small rectangular tab with a hole in it. When the tab runs the same direction as the pipe, the valve is open. A quarter turn so the tab sits crosswise to the pipe closes it. Most people need an adjustable wrench or a purpose-made gas shutoff wrench to move it, because these valves are stiff and rarely used.
Should you close it?
- IfYou smell gas, hear it escaping, or see a damaged gas pipeThenClose it if you can do so safely, after getting people out.
- IfA fire is spreading toward the meter areaThenLeave and call 911; do not approach.
- IfAfter an earthquake, but no smell and no soundThenLeave it open. Closing it means waiting for a relight.
- IfYou are replacing a range or dryer yourselfThenUse the appliance shutoff behind it instead, and hire a licensed contractor for the gas connection.
- IfGoing on vacationThenLeave it on. Closing it means waiting for SoCalGas to relight your pilots.
How to close it
Practice finding the valve now. Turn it only when you need to.
- Get people clear.Everyone should already be out of the house and away from the building.
- Fit the wrench.Put the wrench on the rectangular tab of the valve on the riser pipe below the meter.
- Turn a quarter turn.Rotate it until the tab is crosswise to the pipe. That is fully closed; do not force it further.
- Move away and call.Step back to the street and call 911 or SoCalGas. Tell them you closed the meter valve.
Why you should not turn it back on yourself
When the gas comes back on, every appliance with a standing pilot loses its flame and needs relighting, and any open line or loose fitting will start leaking again. SoCalGas checks the system for leaks before restoring service and relights pilots, which is why it advises customers to let its technicians reopen the meter.
If the gas was shut off because of a house-side leak, the repair needs to be finished and tested by a licensed contractor before anyone asks for the gas to be restored.
Get ready now, before you need it
Common questions
Is the meter valve the same as the appliance valve?
No. The meter valve stops gas to the whole house. Each gas appliance should also have its own shutoff on the line right behind it.
My valve will not budge. Should I force it?
Do not use a cheater bar or hammer on it. If you cannot close it in an emergency, leave and tell responders. Otherwise, ask SoCalGas about a valve that seems seized.
Can a plumber reopen the meter after a repair?
SoCalGas advises that its technicians restore service after a shutoff. Ask your contractor how they coordinate that after the repair passes testing.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.