Picture this: It is 2:00 AM. You wake up to the sound of rushing water. A pipe has burst in the kitchen, and water is flooding your hardwood floors. Panic sets in. Do you know exactly what to do in the next 60 seconds to stop the damage?
In a plumbing emergency, speed is everything. Every minute water flows freely can cost you hundreds of dollars in restoration repairs. At Clean Hits Pipe Cleaning, we want our Las Vegas neighbors to be prepared.
Here is your guide to finding and operating your emergency shut-off valves before disaster strikes.
Level 1: The “Local” Shut-Offs (Fixture Isolation)
If the leak is coming from a specific appliance—like a toilet overflowing or a faucet spraying—you usually don’t need to kill water to the whole house.
- Toilets: Look behind the toilet, near the floor. You will see a small football-shaped valve (an “angle stop”) connected to the wall. Turn it clockwise (to the right) until it stops.
- Sinks: Open the cabinet under the sink. You will see two valves (hot and cold). Turn both clockwise to shut them off.
- Washing Machines: There should be two valves behind the machine. If they are old lever styles, pull them perpendicular to the pipe.
Level 2: The “Main” House Shut-Off
If a pipe has burst inside a wall, or if the local valve is stuck (common with hard water buildup), you need to shut off the entire house immediately.
Where to find it in Las Vegas homes:
- The Garage: This is the most common spot. Look for a pipe coming out of the wall near your water heater or near the front of the garage. It will have a valve on it.
- The Front Spigot: Sometimes the main shut-off is located outside, right next to your hose bib (garden hose faucet) at the front of the house.
How to turn it:
- Ball Valve (Lever): Turn the lever so it is perpendicular (at a right angle) to the pipe.
- Gate Valve (Wheel): Turn the wheel clockwise. Warning: If you have an old round wheel handle that hasn’t been turned in years, be gentle. Force can snap the stem.
Level 3: The “Street” Shut-Off (The Nuclear Option)
If you cannot find the house valve, or if it is broken, you must go to the street.
Locate the concrete or plastic box embedded in the sidewalk or near your driveway (it usually says “WATER” on the lid). You may need a screwdriver or a specialized “meter key” to pry the lid open. Inside, you will see the city water meter. There is a valve on the street side of the meter. You will likely need a wrench to turn it clockwise.
Homework Assignment: Test Your Valves Today
Do not wait for a flood to find out your shut-off valve is frozen with rust. Go check your main valve today. Test it by turning it off and seeing if the water in your house stops.
Is your valve stuck? Does it drip when you turn it?
Do not force it! You could break the pipe and cause a flood yourself. Instead, call Clean Hits Pipe Cleaning at +1 702-808-3459. We can replace old, seized gate valves with modern, reliable ball valves so you are ready for any emergency.