Why this comes before everything else
A burst supply line can push out a startling amount of water in the time it takes to look up a plumber. The single most useful thing a homeowner can know is where the main shutoff is and whether it actually turns. Most people learn this in the middle of a flood. It is far better to learn it on a quiet afternoon.
In the slab-on-grade tract houses that fill Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia and Buena Park, the layout is fairly predictable. The water service comes from the meter near the street, runs under the front yard, and rises out of the ground next to the house before it turns inside. That riser is where the house shutoff usually lives.
Where to look in a typical North OC home
| Location | What it looks like | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outside wall facing the street | A gate valve with a round handle or a ball valve with a lever, on a pipe rising from the ground | The most common spot in 1950s to 70s single-story tract homes, often near a front hose bib |
| Garage wall | A valve on the supply line where it enters the garage | Common where the water heater and laundry are in the garage |
| Meter box near the curb | A concrete or plastic box with a lid; the valve sits on the street side of the meter | Usually needs a meter key or wrench; this is the utility's side, so use it only when the house valve fails |
| Condo or townhome | A valve in a utility closet, under a sink, or a shared shutoff controlled by the HOA | Ask the HOA or property manager which valve serves your unit |
How to close it
Take a moment to do this calmly. Forcing an old valve can break it.
- Identify the valve type.A round wheel handle is a gate valve and needs several clockwise turns. A lever handle is a ball valve and closes with a quarter turn so the lever sits across the pipe.
- Turn clockwise, steadily.Righty-tighty. If a gate valve stops turning, do not lean on it with a wrench; old gate valves can strip internally and stay partly open.
- Check that the water stopped.Open a faucet inside the house. Flow should slow to a trickle and stop as the pipes drain.
- Relieve pressure.Open a low faucet, such as a tub spout or a hose bib, to drain the remaining water out of the lines and reduce what leaks out of the break.
- Deal with the water heater.If the house will be without water for a while, set a gas water heater to its pilot or vacation setting, or switch off the breaker for an electric heater, so it does not heat an emptying tank.
Shutoff checklist to do this week
- Find the house shutoff and the meter box and photograph both
- Make sure the valve handle is not buried in mulch, paint or ivy
- Turn it off and on once to confirm it moves, gently
- Buy a meter key and keep it where everyone in the house can find it
- Find the individual shutoffs under each sink, behind each toilet and on the water heater supply
- Show every adult in the home where the valves are
Old gate valve or new ball valve?
Many original North OC houses still have their first gate valve. Replacing it is a small, common job.
Original gate valve
- Multi-turn wheel handle
- Internal gate can corrode and stick open
- Often seeps at the stem after decades
- Hard to tell if fully closed
Quarter-turn ball valve
- Lever shows open or closed at a glance
- Closes fully with one quick motion
- Easier for anyone in the household to use
- Replacement means shutting water at the meter first
What to ask a plumber about your shutoff
- Is my main valve in good enough shape to rely on in an emergency?
- Would you recommend replacing it with a full-port ball valve?
- Do I need a pressure regulator, and is the one I have working?
- What is your CSLB license number so I can check it at cslb.ca.gov?
Common questions
Is it safe to turn the meter valve myself?
Homeowners commonly close the curb valve in an emergency, but it is the utility's equipment. Use a proper meter key, turn it gently, and check with your water utility if you are unsure or it will not move.
How do I know if my shutoff is a gate or ball valve?
A round wheel that turns several times is a gate valve. A straight lever that moves a quarter turn is a ball valve.
Should I exercise the valve regularly?
Turning it off and back on once a year or so helps you confirm it works. Do it gently; if it is stiff or seeps afterward, have a plumber look at it.
General information for North Orange County, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.