Most people never touch their main water valve. Then a pipe bursts, and they find out the valve is stuck, leaking, or snaps off in their hand. A quick test once a year tells you what you have.
Before you start
- Pick a calm moment, not an emergency.
- Have a towel and a bucket nearby.
- Keep a plumber's number handy: (480) 363-5232.
- Not sure where your main valve is? Check near the front of the house by the hose bib, or in the garage on the wall facing the street. If you can't find it, call us.
The test
- Look at the handle. A round wheel is a gate valve. A straight lever is a ball valve.
- Close it gently. Turn a wheel clockwise by hand. Turn a lever a quarter turn, so the lever sits crossways to the pipe.
- Never force it. If it is stiff, stop. Pushing hard on an old valve can snap the stem or start a leak.
- Check the water is off. Open a faucet at the lowest point in the house. The flow should stop or slow to a trickle within a minute.
- Look for drips. Check around the valve for moisture while it is closed and after you reopen it.
- Open it back up. Turn it slowly the other way, then open the faucet to let any air out.
What your result means
- It turned easily and the water stopped. You're set. Test it again next year.
- It was stiff or would not move. Leave it alone and call a plumber. A valve you can't close is a risk on the day you need it.
- It dripped around the handle. That's a worn packing or a failing valve. It is usually a quick repair when done early.
- The water kept running when closed. The valve is not sealing. It needs replacing.
A broken valve stem is exactly what one of our customers called us about: the handle snapped on the water main to an irrigation system. It was found and fixed. Better to find a weak valve on your schedule.
Want us to check it?
We repair and replace main shut-offs, irrigation valves and washer boxes. See valve repair.
No obligation. Licensed, bonded & insured · AZ ROC #317913 · Open 24 hours.
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