How to Turn Off Water Mains in 4 Easy Steps
So, you have an emergency like a burst water pipe, burst tap or you’re doing tap or toilet maintenance at the home.
Here is a short video on how to turn off the water at the water meter.
If you have a burst hot water heater, then you do not need to turn the water off at the water meter, you can isolate your hot water system at the hot water heater.
See our ‘How to shut off hot water tank’ or ‘How to shut off gas hot water heater’ blog for further video instructions.
How To Turn Off Water Supply To House | Our 4 Simple Steps
Tools that you will require -
Shifting spanner
Screw driver
Cup to bail out water
Step 1
Locate the water meter at the front of your home, it is usually located at the front left or right of the property. There should be a metal or plastic lid over the top of the water meter. If you live in an area where they use recycled water, you may have 2 water meter boxes.
If you live in a unit, apartment or townhouse, you may not have an individual water meter at the front of the complex, but there will be a water shut off valve somewhere. If you do not know where this is, you will need to ask the complex manager.
Rain and insects can cause water meter boxes to fill with dirt and mud in just a few days. Some will argue over who’s responsibility it is to maintain the meter box, but if your water meter box is kept reasonably clean, it can be accessed at all times, making it easier for you to turn off your water in case of an emergency &/or repairs, also allowing you to keep an eye on your water consumption.
Step 2
Using the screw driver, place it in the hole & lift the council cover plate off your water meter.
If there is no cover plate, you will need to contact your local council & ask them to install one at no charge. Council contact links are at the bottom of this blog.
Step 3
If the meter box is full of water, you will need to bail out the water using a cup.
Step 4
Turn off the stop valve, it will be either a ball valve or a T-top isolation tap.
Turn this tap clockwise to turn it OFF.
If the stop valve or T-top tap does not turn by hand, you will need to use the shifter spanner & screw driver to assist you with extra leverage.
To use the shifter, put the screw driver through the top hole of the shifter, place the open shifter over the stop valve & turn right or clock wise until it is completely off.
Go back up to the home & from the front hose tap, turn it on & empty the water line.
If you have turned your water off due to a plumbing emergency, you can now call your local plumber, or if you have turned your water meter off to do repairs, you should be good to go.
How to shut down the water to a townhouse or unit
Best Emergency Plumber
Moyle plumbing is a family business & has been Plumbing for our local community since 1983. We offer same-day service with special priority to all emergency plumbing, and we guarantee the quality of out work.
To get fast and affordable service, Give Moyle a call on 0447 671 095.
Upfront prices, friendly and fast service.
All of our plumbers are fully licensed.
Plumbing Brisbane to the Gold Coast, including Logan City.
Learn what to do - ‘If you have a burst water pipe under the kitchen sink’
Below are links to your local Council for more information
GOLD COAST CITY COUNCIL - https://new.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/pdfs/water-amp-sewerage/about_your_water_meter.pdf
LOGAN CITY COUNCIL - https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/water-meter-readings
BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL –https://urbanutilities.com.au/residential/help-and-advice/water-meters
REDLANDS CITY COUNCIL –
https://www.redland.qld.gov.au/info/20239/water_meters/551/access_to_water_meters
IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL - https://urbanutilities.com.au/residential/help-and-advice/water-meters
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Richard Moyle - Plumbing since 1983
