How to Find Your Main Utility Access Points in Your Home

Here's the big question: if a pipe in your home bursts or you have blown the circuit breaker, do you know how to shut or reset them? Is your answer no?

Most people don't know how to locate their main utility shutoffs, but it's one of the most important things you can know about your home. These main utilities can include water, electricity, and sometimes gas. 

You can save thousands of dollars in damage costs if you know how to stop a flood or a gas leak. For example, It's essential to understand how to mitigate utility damage to save on repairs.

All homes are made differently, and some utility turnoffs can be tricky to find. As a property management company, we always recommend that new owners of a lease or home request a property tour by a property manager or hire a home inspector to educate them on the components of the home. 

If you'd find them on your own, we have listed where you can locate the three most common main utilities shutoffs below and a free printable identification tag.

Main Water Shut-Off Valve

Most main water shut-off valves are found on the lowest level of your home on an exterior wall that’s closest to the street. Also commonly found close to the water heater and/or washer and dryer hookups. You will notice a water pipe that exits on the home's exterior.

Pro-tip: Tie a bright ribbon or hang an identification tag to the main water shut-off. This will help household members or service personnel access the home's main water quickly, especially if yours is in a tight spot. 

Also, every appliance and bathroom/kitchen fixture that uses running water will have its own shutoff valve on the appliance or fixture. 

Underneath sinks, you can find a shutoff valve to turn off the water directly to the sink. And on the back side of your toilets, you'll also find a shut-off valve. 

Pro-tip: Be in the habit of making sure water successfully recedes after flushing. If water begins to rise in the case of a clog, you can quickly turn off the water, avoiding contaminated overflow. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to do this! Especially children who are old enough to use the bathroom on their own.

If you need help with where a leak is coming from, or there is rushing water flooding your home, utilize your main water shut-off valve and call your property management company or plumber immediately. If the situation is dangerous (e.g. it involves “fire, flood, or blood”, always call 911.

Main Electrical Shut-Off

Most main electrical shut-offs are located inside your home on an exterior wall closest to the outdoor electrical meter. 

Inside the main electrical panel, you can locate a large switch labeled "Main." Turning off this switch will turn off all the home's power.

Beneath or above the main shut-off switch, also known as a breaker, are the breakers for specific appliances and rooms. Shutting off these individual breakers will remove power from the desired location without turning off the power to the rest of the home. You'll use the breaker switches to correct blown circuits or when working on updating specific electrical components in the home, such as light fixtures and ceiling fans. 

Pro Tip: ALWAYS cut power to a location that you are working on. Call an electrician if you are uncomfortable installing electrical fixtures.

Main Gas Valve

The main gas shut-off is always located at the gas meter.

Note: the gas company is typically responsible for all components leading up from the street to the gas meter. Homeowners are responsible for all of the gas components after the meter that go into the home. Utilizing the gas shut-off valve at the meter is usually the responsibility of the gas company.

Gas shut-offs inside the home:

Some homes have gas "manifolds" that are the hub for all gas appliances and fixtures. Turning off the main valve at these manifolds will turn off the gas in all supplied areas. If you don't have a manifold, there will be a shut-off valve located at each appliance or fixture (i.e., the oven, fireplace, HVAC, etc.)

Every home with gas appliances must have properly installed CO Detectors!!!! 

Important! If you smell gas, call the gas company. It is their job to detect the source of gas leaks, and it's crucial to catch these before they become an emergency e.g., a gas fire or explosion. Even if you think you've resolved the issue by turning off your gas line, the actual source could be a neighboring resident or business. 

When emergencies happen, and they will, you'll need to act fast. Knowing the components of your home and how your main utility works are essential for quick decision-making that could save you thousands of dollars. We hope this information empowers you to live confidently in your home, no matter the situation. 

Now that you know where your shut-offs are, it’s smart to label them for any future emergencies! Click through this link to find a free downloadable hanger to mark your shut-offs. Now, anyone can find the shut-offs with ease!