Valve tour
- 1Mainnear the meter in the basement
- 2Water heatercold inlet valve on top
- 3Toiletsbehind each toilet
- 4Sinksunder each sink
- 5Laundrybehind the washer
01The main valve
In most houses, the main shut-off is where the water service enters the basement, near the meter. In condos, the suite valve usually hides in a mechanical closet, often beside the heater.
Test it once a year.
02Fixture valves
Every toilet and sink should have its own shut-off. Old multi-turn valves often seize; replacing them with quarter-turn valves is inexpensive.
03Label
Label the main valve so everyone in the house can find it.
04A five-minute drill
Walk the house with everyone who lives there. Show them the main, the heater valve and the stops under each sink and toilet. Close and reopen each one. Any that will not turn, or that drip at the stem once reopened, go on a list for replacement. Old multi-turn stops often leak at the packing nut after being moved; a quarter-turn of the nut may cure it, and if not, the valve should be replaced before it is needed in a hurry.
05Townhouses and semis
In some townhouse complexes the shut-off for your unit sits in a neighbour's basement or a shared mechanical room. Find out now, and keep the management office number with the plumber's number on the fridge.