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
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.
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