Why a written map helps
In a leak, the minutes spent looking for the right valve are the minutes that do the most damage. Many Golden Hills households know roughly where the main shutoff is, but not whether it still turns, which way it closes, or where the valves for the water heater, toilets and laundry sit.
Walking the house once with this worksheet gives everyone, including house-sitters and older children, a plan they can follow. It also shows you which valves are stuck or seeping so you can have them replaced before you need them.
How to fill it in
- Gather a flashlight, pen and phone.Photograph each valve as you find it so the map has pictures to go with the notes.
- Start at the main.Look where the supply line enters the house, often near a front hose bib or the water heater. Note whether it is a round gate handle or a lever ball valve.
- Work room by room.Kitchen, each bathroom, laundry, water heater, irrigation and any outdoor hose bibs.
- Test gently.Turn each fixture valve slowly to closed and back open. Stop if it resists or seeps, and mark it for repair.
- Record the gas shutoffs too.Note the valve at each gas appliance. Do not operate the gas meter valve for a test.
Your shutoff map
| Shutoff | Exact location | Type and direction to close | Works? (yes / stiff / seeps) | Photo taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main water to house | ||||
| Water heater cold inlet | ||||
| Kitchen sink (hot and cold) | ||||
| Dishwasher | ||||
| Bathroom 1 toilet and sink | ||||
| Bathroom 2 toilet and sink | ||||
| Washing machine | ||||
| Refrigerator or ice maker line | ||||
| Irrigation | ||||
| Gas valve at water heater |
After you finish
- Tag the main shutoff with a bright label or tape
- Keep any tool needed to turn the main next to it
- Store a copy of this map near the water heater and one on your phone
- Show every adult in the house where the main is and how it closes
- List stiff or seeping valves for your next plumber visit
Ask a plumber at your next visit
- Can you replace the valves I marked as stiff or seeping?
- Is my main shutoff the right type to close quickly in an emergency?
- Is there a pressure regulator near the main, and is it working?
Common questions
I can't find a main shutoff at the house. What now?
Some homes rely on the valve in the meter box near the street. That valve is on the city's side, so check with the city about using it, and ask a plumber about installing an accessible house shutoff.
Should I test my main shutoff?
Turning it occasionally helps keep it working, but an old valve can start to seep when moved. Have a plan, and a plumber's number, before you test a valve that has not moved in years.
Why photograph each valve?
Photos help someone unfamiliar with the house find the right valve quickly, and they help a plumber identify valve types before a visit.
General information for Golden Hills, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.