- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Locating Water Shut Off Valve
Posted on 10/22/21 at 5:32 pm to PolarPop5
Posted on 10/22/21 at 5:32 pm to PolarPop5
I own two houses in a 60 yr old subdivision in BR. During the ice storm in February the power went out in both. At one of them I could get the meter cut off valve to turn. At the other I couldn't budge it at all. Point being you may be able to turn that when you need to, but you might not be able to.
Couldn't find cutoff's at either house coming out of the ground either. I ended up installing hand turn valves (plastic) just on my side of the meter buried in an irrigation box.
This would be my advice, in case you ever break the line in your yard doing landscaping or something, at least you can turn it off, as well as turning off the house.
Couldn't find cutoff's at either house coming out of the ground either. I ended up installing hand turn valves (plastic) just on my side of the meter buried in an irrigation box.
This would be my advice, in case you ever break the line in your yard doing landscaping or something, at least you can turn it off, as well as turning off the house.
1
Posted on 10/22/21 at 6:33 pm to PolarPop5
quote:If there was an original valve on a house that old I'd still suggest turning it off at the street.
After digging around for awhile and tracing my pipes from the house. I surmised the only shutoff is at the meter (which confirmed works) house is 75+ years old.
Those old valves that never get used tend to at best leak a bit (if not fail) when used after many years of just being open. A great many times using one will involve having a plumber replace it. And usually (although I'm not from LA) you get get by with a crescent wrench or pair channel locks if you really need to close the shutoff at the street.
Posted on 10/22/21 at 10:36 pm to PolarPop5
Ours is in the basement, accessible through the ceiling tiles.
Old house on slab had a standard knob buried in the ground with access right before entry to the house by the front wall.
House before that on slab, I never found one other than at the meter.
I bought one if those long rebar T shaped handle wrenches.
Old house on slab had a standard knob buried in the ground with access right before entry to the house by the front wall.
House before that on slab, I never found one other than at the meter.
I bought one if those long rebar T shaped handle wrenches.
Posted on 10/22/21 at 11:16 pm to PolarPop5
Get a Street Key till you find your shut off in case you get in a bind.
Mine is located in the ground right behind the water meter from water works. I had a shitty brass needle valve, swapped it out for a stainless ball valve.
Mine is located in the ground right behind the water meter from water works. I had a shitty brass needle valve, swapped it out for a stainless ball valve.
Posted on 10/23/21 at 6:14 am to deanwelles
quote:
At one of them I could get the meter cut off valve to turn. At the other I couldn't budge it at all.
Houses in our area were built in the 70s and 80s, and the only cutoff I know of for them is at the meter. I keep a big key hanging conspicuously on the garage wall for emergencies. Get a big/good one so you can get some leverage.
Some neighbors who sprung leaks in the ice storm could no turn their valve. Even firemen and plumbers struggled with some. So make sure yours will turn, and give it a twist every 4th of July (easy to remember) to keep it working.
A relative bought a house with one that would not budge. A city crew had to work the hell out of it to get it working. Doing that in advance was a godsend, because he sprung an interior leak on a Saturday a few months later.
I bought my key at an estate sale. It was hanging in the garage with no price on it. I asked the bored guy who was posted to guard that area. He said, "I don't think that's for .... $5." He stuffed the bill in his pocket. LOL.
Posted on 10/29/21 at 9:39 pm to PolarPop5
My shut off is inside the meter box in the ground. I have a shut off at the street and one on the house near the gas meter. Figure out where both are. I had to shut mine off in an emergency and the house only valve wasn’t sufficient, I had to shut it off at the street. Buy the $10 tool at Home Depot and keep it handy.
Posted on 10/29/21 at 9:43 pm to keakar
If you don’t yet have the cheap rebar type tool to turn it off, use a crescent wrench with a long screwdriver through the end ring to form a T and you can usually turn it off that way in a pinch. I keep a tool outside near the valve so a neighbor could turn it off if I’m away.
Page 2 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News