Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 7/9/2009

Question
i cant find the shutoff valve anywhere near my meter...but there is a littla handle like thing before the meter but pulling it up or pushing it down doesnt seem to make any difference

Answer
Dear Rick,

  Generally, if there is a shut-off valve to shut the water off to the whole house, it will be just outside the house [in warmer climates] [a pipe coming out of the ground will have a valve on it before it enters the wall], or in the basement where the incoming line enters, or sometimes in a garage or utility room.

  The meter valve, a round unit with a long knob on top, can be shut off, though how difficult or easy this is depends on the type of valve. The knob on top turns left and right. If the valve is a "ball" valve, it should turn pretty easily. If there is enough space inside the meter box you might be able to turn it with a pliers.

  There is a tool that is specifically deigned to turn these meter valves, called a meter "key". I believe they sell some basic ones at Home Depot. The tool has a long pipe with a cross pipe on top for turning, and at the bottom is a metal bracket with a slot.

  You place the slot at the bottom of the key over the knob on the meter valve, and use the "Tee" handle on top to turn it. Turning it to the "OFF" position would always be clockwise.

  If the knob won't turn using all the force you can put on the key handle, don't go looking for a pipe wrench to turn it. You might break the valve, and you may have to pay the water company for the damage.

  I was given this advice 26 years ago by a great guy, Ed Everett, who ran the little water company in Carefree AZ for many years. He told me if I couldn't turn it with the key using all my strength, to call him. If I broke it he'd be pissed.

  As I said, if there is a separate shut-off valve, it would be somewhere right outside or inside the house. Hope this helped!  sharon