Closing and locating the main shut off for the house water service is something that requires some care and knowledge.  Many times this seemingly simple task has resulted in a property owner left with no water or needing a major water main repair. Following some simple instructions can save a lot of aggravation, money, and having to do a costly water main repair.
Locating the main control valve The main control 
valve for a house is typically located on the inside front wall of the basement or the access pit closest to the public roadway. Sometimes there may be a cabinet with an access door built around the main valve. In NYC most houses and properties now have water meters installed and there are two shut offs present. There would be one valve on the street-side of the meter, and one on the house-side of the meter.
Which valve to close – Whenever there are two main valves present, always close the one on the house-side. This is most important because if the valve is faulty or breaks then the street-side valve acts as a back-up and allows for the other control-valve to be repaired easily. On the other hand, if the street-side valve is used and breaks or is faulty the roadway may have to be opened to do a water line repair. Never operate the street side valve unless there is no other option.
How to close the main-control-valve – 
Most main valves are now of the ball type variety. They are as a rule the most dependable and easy to operate. Since the mechanism to operate the device is a bored out metal ball, 1/4 of a turn of the handle closes the water to the house. There is usually a directional handle to instruct which direction to turn the handle.
In the case of a gate valve numerous clock-wise turns will be required.  Extra care must be taken with a gate valve as there is a stem that connects the handle to the gate which can be broken unless care is taken. Always apply even pressure to turn the handle, never jerk a main-control-valve or use excessive force. If the stem snaps the shut off valve becomes non-operational. If the stem snaps in the closed position a main valve generally cannot be repaired and water main service will be interrupted.
The importance of a high quality valve - A typical high quality main valve (shut off valve) costs a water main contractor less then $15.00 and should last for decades if it is not abused. There is no reason to skimp on this vital item to save a couple of dollars. Balls valves have proven to be much more reliable and trouble free than typical gate valves. The NYC DEP code requires ball valves to be full-port opening valves, which do not restrict the flow of water into the property. Saving a dollar or two on a ball valve that restricts the flow of water makes no sense when considering which shut off valve to install as the main valve. For more sewer and water main information visit the Resources Page.
About Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer and water main company in NYC. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. As a family run sewer contractor and water main contractor in operation for over 50 years, our 10 year guarantee means we continue to stand by our work after the job is done. We are expertly equipped, from our 48,000 square foot facility to dozens of trucks, heavy moving equipment, backhoes and pneumatics.
For all your sewer & water main , catch basin, fire hydrant, manhole, fire sprinkler service, water main and sewer excavation work contact Balkan Plumbing today.
Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418 | Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 849-0900 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com
