Know Your Valves

There should be a valve on the main feed into your house. This is often under the kitchen sink or in a bathroom closet. There is also a main shutoff valve at the street under a lid, usually.  Make sure it works!

You and anyone else living in your house should know where the stopcock is and how to turn it off.

Somewhere outside your house there will also be a main stopcock. This will almost certainly be below a small trap-hatch somewhere on the street or road outside. However, if a new drive surface or road has been laid, the hatch may become concealed. Make sure you know where it is, how to get to it, and how to operate it.

You should also know that where the hot and cold service valves are.  Make sure they work.

If you are unsure of the whereabouts of these valves or stopcock, ask your plumber next time he or she visits.

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