Your house water valve should also be documented on your property inspection report. Review the plumbing section of the report, which should both locate the shut-off valve and have a photo of the valve so you can identify what you’re looking for.

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If you aren’t able to locate your water shut-off valve, you may be able to find the valve at the beginning of your water main in your streetside ground-level utility box. This is also known as a curb valve. You should see a plastic or metal door at the top of the box, which should contain a 24-hour phone number for your water company’s emergency services.

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Upon installation, know the T&P discharge pipe must be the same size, not smaller, as the T&P valve to prevent flow constriction and further pressure build-up. Without a discharge pipe, the T&P valve could shoot out scalding water, seriously injuring anyone nearby.

This type of valve is similar to the one you may find on your garden hose. Gate valves have round handles that control a gate, which moves up and down, allowing or blocking water movement. Turning the handle counterclockwise as far as it allows will open the valve, and turning it the opposite direction as far as it will go, clockwise, will completely close the valve.

For homes with a crawl space, your main water shut-off valve may be under it. For homes with a basement, the shut-off valve is likely wherever water enters the basement. For homes without a basement, the shut-off valve is likely close to the water heater or under the kitchen sink.

Note: It is illegal to shut off the water to your property via the city shut-off valve without calling the emergency service line. However, when you do need to make that phone call, the company will either direct you to shut off the water with this valve or send an emergency team to do so.

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Let's break it down. The T&P Valve is a tiny device sitting atop or just a bit below the top of a water heater. It constantly measures the heat and pressure inside your device. Think of it like a safety valve that steps in when components get too hot or too pressurized. When they do, the valve opens and lets out water to bring the system back to equilibrium. A typical T&P valve opens at a pressure of 150 psi and a temperature of 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Without a T&P Valve, your water heater could seriously injure you or your family through water damage or, in the worst case, bursting.

Upon installation, the water heater’s T&P Valve should be properly positioned and functional. The device should be mounted either at the top or the side of your water heater apparatus and be within a 6” clearance on top. The water discharge pipe should also be safely installed and maintained. The pipe must be made of the right materials to prevent melting. PVC, for instance, is not suitable for hot water and could fail at a crucial moment as it is only cold water-rated. The only exception stands when a pipe PVC reads that it is approved for T&P valve discharge use, as denoted by a red print in most cases. Other plumbing materials, like copper, PEX, CVPC, and polybutylene (PB) can be used instead. Two of the most common issues identified during a home inspection are an incorrectly installed discharge pipe and a T&P discharge pipe that is not hot water rated. Improper discharge pipe installation, make-up or lack thereof can lead to 2nd-to-3rd degree burns from scalding. During our inspections, we always take a close look at these valves and pipes because proper installation ensures safety. A correctly installed T&P Valve is like having a good insurance policy – you hope you never need it, but it ensures maximum coverage and reduced costs when you do.

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If you can’t find your water shut-off valve in an emergency, you’ll need to call a nearby professional plumber. And even if you’ve shut off your house water main, you’ll want to make sure all plumbing damages, urgent leaks and burst water pipes are patched before you turn it on again.

For homes built on a slab, your water main shut-off valve is likely close to your water heater tank —check underneath it or at the top.

Instead of turning off all the water to your home, you could shut off water to specific household appliances to turn off water access to individual plumbing fixtures. This includes the toilet, bathtub or shower, sink, washing machine and more.

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If you are unable to close the valve yourself, you can call and ask the company how to DIY or for them to send an emergency team to help you.

Shelby is an editor with an affinity for covering home improvement and repair, design and real estate trends. She also specializes in content strategy and entrepreneur coaching for small businesses, the future of work and philanthropy/ nonprofits. An advocate for creativity and innovation, she writes with the knowledge that content trends tell an important tale about the bigger picture of our world. Reach out to her if you want to share a story.

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If your home has a basement, check there first. The valve is likely to be in the same area as the outdoor hose connection or water spigot, but on the corresponding interior side of the wall.

Sometimes, the T&P valve opens more often when the water heater lacks a thermal expansion tank. A thorough and professional examination of your water heater will give you the necessary knowledge to understand your T&P valve’s operation. Regardless of your water heater’s structure, plumbing standards require a T&P valve and proper discharge pipe, which safely channels any released hot water away from the heater, across all water heaters.

Normally, a T&P valve should not drip. Small amounts of drip below the valve are typically no cause for concern, but we advise carefully monitoring the situation. Larger puddles and splashes are indications of serious inspection and repair. Typically, the solution here is to replace the T&P valve or thermal expansion tank or install a pressure regulator – depending on the structural integrity of your water heater apparatus. To ensure your health and safety along with your water heater longevity, leave the inspection and replacement process to qualified professionals only.

Your T&P Valve is a silent guardian, but even guardians need annual check-ups. We suggest testing your T&P valves annually through our Healthy Home Check, a recurring and comprehensive home inspection without the hassle and excess time required for a Full Home Inspection and report. Even if you had your T&P Valve properly checked when you bought your home, elements like this can break and deteriorate as time progresses. T&P valve testing is essential to ensure minerals and other particles don’t clog the valve’s interior or block it from proper operation.

And even if you’re lucky enough to not have had to deal with a plumbing emergency yet, you’ll want to know how to find your water shut-off valve to turn off and on in advance of the day you’ll need to. Our guide is here to help. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Find Affordable Plumbers And Plumbing Services Angi helps you connect with specialized plumbers who are reliable and know how to handle plumbing installation and repairs. Explore Options

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There is no standard location for water shut-off valves within homes, but depending on how your home is built, there are a few simple ways to find it.

Derek Walczak is a licensed general contractor located in Ipswich, MA. Together with his wife and business partner, Lisa, Derek owns and operates Walczak Design and Build, a design-build collaborative executing work for their clients from architectural concept through construction and beyond. With over two decades of experience in the industry from mastering finish carpentry to excelling in general contracting, framing and beyond, Derek's journey has been a testament to his multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication to craftsmanship. Under Derek's leadership, the Walczak Design and Build team strives to raise the bar for the industry, setting new standards of quality and innovation with every project they undertake and driven by a genuine desire to enhance the lives of homeowners. Honors and Awards: - BONS Home 2023 - Builder - Renovations Editor's Choice Winner - Best of Boston Rising Star Boston Magazine 2021 - Best of Service Houzz 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 Professional Memberships: - CSL licensed general contractor - EPA certified technician

A water emergency at home can be extremely dangerous to your safety and property. When faced with a plumbing leak, a burst pipe or gushing water, you’ll need to know where to find the water shut-off valve in your home to prevent further water damage from occurring and to allow for safe plumbing repairs.

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Angi helps you connect with specialized plumbers who are reliable and know how to handle plumbing installation and repairs.

For endless hot water when you need it, and energy savings, consider a tankless water heater installation from a top-rated company on Angi.

A former home inspector, Pat serves as the Director of Training and Licensing for WIN Home Inspection, Pat has been in the inspection services industry for over 30 years and is an expert in performing and teaching 35+ essential services.

A ball valve contains a ball with a hole through the middle and a straight handle that runs parallel to the pipe when open. That handle will move from its parallel position to a perpendicular position to turn off a ball valve. The valve will stop when the handle is fully perpendicular to the pipe.

Before calling WIN, you can test the T&P Valve lever to release a bit of water. If water doesn't come out, or if it seems to leak or drip constantly, you have a problem. This isn't just about industry compliance; it's about peace of mind, knowing your home is safe from potential water heater mishaps. T&P valves are connected to a small metal arm or tab that assists with opening. The resolution to a broken valve is to replace it entirely with the help of a licensed and qualified plumber.

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During the winter months, when home fires grow in frequency, heating safety is of the utmost importance. One part of your water heater plays a large role in operational safety: the Temperature and Pressure (T&P) Relief Valve.

When we inspect homes, we pay special attention to the T&P Valve. We don't test them ourselves, but we do look to see if they exist and are in good condition. We also check the discharge pipes to ensure correct material, quality and installation. These might seem like small details, but they're big indicators of your water heater's health and safety. Ensuring these components are in order leaves you with peace-of-mind and cost savings in the long run. Remember, a little attention to the T&P Valve can go a long way in keeping your home safe.