How to Shut Your Home’s Water Off and Avoid Flooding

courtesy City of Plano video
courtesy City of Plano video

Received from City of Plano media relations department:

The City of Plano is receiving an extremely high number of service calls to shut water off. As temperatures rise, we expect this trend to continue. The sooner the water is shut off, the less damage you may experience.

As a result, we are urging our residents to learn how to shut their water off themselves as quickly as possible in the event of a burst pipe or leak.

We have produced this video to help explain the process:

Turning Off Main Exterior Shut-Off Valves:

STEP 1:  The water main shut-off valve is typically found outside underground in your front yard near the curb. If you are unable to remove your access panel with home tools, you can purchase a meter key at most home improvement stores. Main water shut off in some newer homes may be found in the garage.

STEP 2:  To turn off the water, turn the knob clockwise until you can no longer turn it. The knob will either be a circular or a lever-style handle.

STEP 3: Relieve pressure in the pipes by draining the water already in them. Run both hot and cold water tap at the lowest point in the house. You can also open the taps at the highest point in the house to reduce the vacuum effect and allow the water to exit faster.

Turning Off Main Exterior Shut-Off Valves in the City’s Meter Box:

STEP 1: If you have a meter box key, the water can be turned off at the City’s meter located near the curb of your home between the sidewalk and the street curb. Meter box keys are sold at your local home improvement store.

STEP 2:  There is a single valve in the meter box. There is an arrow on top of the valve. To turn the water off, turn the valve one half turn clockwise until the arrow faces away from the meter. To turn it back on, turn it one half turn back towards the meter.

STEP 3:  Relieve pressure in the pipes by draining the water already in them. Run both hot and cold water tap at the lowest point in the house. You can also open the taps at the highest point in the house to reduce the vacuum effect and allow the water to exit faster

Turning Off Interior Shut-Off Valves:

These water shut off valves can be found inside your home:
– On your water heater (Note: Cut power to your hot water heater at your home’s breaker box before shutting off water.)
– Under your sink
– On the side of your toilet

Turning off Irrigation Systems: 

If your irrigation system is separate from your meter you will need to turn off at the irrigation system valve box or the automatic control box.

The irrigation valve box is typically located near the exterior shut-off valve in the City-controlled meter box. This valve box Is usually a green rectangular. Inside this box is a series of valves with cut off valves on each end. Either of these valves will shut off the water.

The automatic control box are typically located inside of your garage.

To Report an Emergency Main Break or Broken Pipe:

Day Time (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
972-941-7105 (Utility Billing)

After Hours (after 5 p.m.)
972-727-1623 (Ridgeview Pump Station)

*If you live in an apartment, contact your property manager.

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