3 Emergency Shut Off Switches Everyone Should Know

Published by Rescue Plumbers Inc. in Plumbing Tips · 1 December 2022
Tags: Emergency, Shut, Off, Switches

If you have never been in an emergency situation before, you may not be sure what to do in the event of a water leak or fire. It is important for every home to have a plan for these kinds of situations, so that everyone can stay safe and healthy. One way to do this is by installing an emergency shut off switch near your kitchen sink or laundry room so that if there is ever a water leak or flood those areas will not be damaged.

Water Shut Off Valve

Water shut off valves are usually located near the water meter. They can be turned by hand to prevent water from flowing. If you are unsure whether the valve has been turned off or not, look for signs of leaking or flooding and turn it back on immediately.

Turning off your water shut-off valve is one of the most important things to know in an emergency.

If you don’t know how to turn off your water shut-off valve, it can be a costly mistake. Water damage can quickly destroy furniture, flooring and walls—and that’s not even mentioning the water bill for repairing the damage caused by burst pipes!

Turning off your water shut-off valve is one of the most important things to know in an emergency. It’s simple, but knowing how to do it will save you from having to deal with a big mess later on.

Locate your water shut-off valve.

You’ll need to locate your water shut-off valve first. This is typically located in the basement or utility closet, near the water meter. The valves can come in various shapes and sizes—some will be labeled “water,” while others will look like a wheel that can be turned to either side.

Test it by turning it all the way to the right or clockwise.

If you hear a hissing sound, stop turning and turn back to left.
If you don’t hear a hissing sound, keep turning until you do

Know how to shut off electricity, natural gas, and water.

First, you need to know how to turn off the water in your home. If a pipe bursts or something else happens that could cause flooding, knowing where the shut off valves are and how to turn them is an important skill. Next, you should be able to tell which circuit breaker or fuse box controls your electricity in case of an electrical fire or power outage, and then you’ll want to know what steps will follow once it’s shut down. Finally, there’s natural gas—a necessary utility for heating your home during winter months but also a major safety hazard if not handled properly. Make sure everyone who lives with you knows where the gas shutoff valve is located and how it operates before winter comes around again!

Natural Gas Shut Off Valve

In order to turn off the gas, you’ll need to locate your natural gas meter. This is usually located near the street or sidewalk and has a small red cap on top with a locking handle. It’s important that you don’t remove this cap or open it up as it will release toxic fumes into your home if it’s left open for too long.

Instead of removing the cap, simply turn it counterclockwise until all pressure is released from inside of the line. When finished turning off your gas supply, remember to turn it back on when you’re done working! If there’s ever an emergency where you need to make repairs quickly without waiting for help from an expert, knowing how do basic things like this can make all of the difference between life and death!

Find the Natural Gas Meter.

To find the natural gas meter, look for a small metal box that is usually located outside. The size of the box will vary depending on the size of your home, but it’s typically about 12-18 inches high and 6-12 inches wide.

The exact location of the gas shutoff valve may be different depending on where you live. You should look for it near where your gas line connects to your house, which is typically in or near your basement or crawl space. If you aren’t sure what this looks like and can’t locate it yourself, call an expert!

Locate your natural gas shut-off valve on the gas meter itself.

You can usually find the natural gas shut-off valve on the gas meter itself. First, locate your natural gas meter; it may be behind a fence or in an open space near your home. Next, look for a large circular object with a duct-taped lid and two dials sticking out of it. This is most likely your gas meter. The exterior knob will have a label (or stickers) indicating which side is “OFF” and which side is “ON.”

To turn off your main line, twist this outer knob until it’s fully turned counterclockwise (left). It’s always best to leave these valves closed when you’re not using them so you don’t accidentally create leaks or create any unnecessary sparks that could ignite nearby fumes from other appliances in the house.

Remember your main gas line has two valves, one inside the home and one outside on the meter itself. We’ll be focusing on only the exterior valve here.

Turn the valve 1/4 of a turn counterclockwise until you hear a click or it stops moving. This turns off your gas supply and is the first step in an emergency situation.
If there is any doubt about whether the pilot light has been turned off, call your utility company for more information.

Using a wrench, turn the valve 1/4 of a turn counterclockwise until you hear a click or it stops moving. This turns off your gas supply.

For water supply: Turn the water off at your home’s main valve.
For electricity supply: Unplug everything or turn off the circuit breaker that powers your house.
For natural gas supply: Use a wrench to turn the valve 1/4 of a turn counterclockwise until you hear a click or it stops moving. This turns off your gas supply.

Electric Box Shut Off Switch

A shut off switch is a device that allows you to cut the power to your electrical system.

There are several kinds of switches, but all can be used for shutting off electricity in an emergency:

Main Breaker Shut Off Switch: This is a large circuit breaker that switches off the main power supply for your house or apartment building. These types of switches are typically found near major appliances and other electric equipment, such as the oven or water heater and furnace. They often come with labels showing which ones belong to each circuit so you don’t accidentally shut down an outlet meant for something else. You may need tools like pliers or screwdrivers to turn these kinds of switches on or off because they’re usually found behind walls (or inside cabinet doors). Main breaker switches should never be turned off while there’s still electricity running through it—you could get shocked!

Water can quickly destroy furniture, flooring and walls so if you don’t stop it now you will have a big mess to deal with later.

Water damage can be a very expensive situation to deal with. The sooner you can stop the water flow, the less damage there will be. If you don’t stop it now and wait until later, then you will have a big mess on your hands that requires professional assistance.

If you notice any type of water leakage or flooding problem in your home, get out of the house immediately! It is not safe to stay inside while there is flooding or seepage happening. Locate the main water shut off valve and turn it off immediately.

Conclusion

Hopefully, your first instinct will be to turn off the water supply in an emergency. However, if you aren’t sure where your shut-off valve is located, now you know how important it is to find out and make sure that everyone in your family knows as well. Your main water line may be inside or outside of your house depending on what type of plumbing system was installed when it was built but once you know where this valve is located then anyone can turn off their water supply quickly during an emergency situation.

If you need further help in locating emergency shut off switches, or if you are looking for a reliable and professional plumber in the High Desert area, look no further Rescue Plumbers Inc. is here to help.

We provide residential and commercial plumbing services to all of our customers with the utmost care and professionalism. Our clients are our number one priority, which is why we offer such competitive prices while maintaining high quality workmanship. Please call us today at 760-241-3100!