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Author:
jimpicstuff (TX)
Hi, I'm just trying to see how I would need to shut off water to the house in an emergency and just located the water shut off lever at the front of the house. I tried to move the lever by hand but it didn't budge. I don't want to put too much pressure on the lever until I know what I'm doing as I don't want to force it the wrong way. I've looked at you tube videos but the levers they have on there are different to the one I have. My question is, how should I turn this level to shut off the water supply?
Many thanks,
Jim
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Author:
ravi102769 (VA)
That is a ball valve, if you turn it ninety degrees clockwise it will be in the off position and just turn it in the opposite direction to turn the water back on. Sometimes they can stick a little if they have not been used in a while but you should be fine.
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Author:
srloren (CA)
Since it appears to be a little closed, turn it counter clockwise to block water from moving through the valve. I am assuming a direction from the photo. It is so far down that it appears you can't get leverage to turn it. They do stick if not operated periodically. You really need something like a very large Sprinkler Valve handle that you use to operate manual sprinkler valves. Check at HomeDepot they may have something that will work...but don't know for sure.
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Author:
packy (MA)
good advice.
but, I would soak it down in oil and put some grease on it to prevent rusting away of the handle. it is just cheap steel (the handle not the valve). in a few years when you need to turn it ,it will just crumble.
I would also, with a nice marker, put an arrow inside the green pipe with on/off written.
on<--------------->off
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
I would use a shop vac and suck out some dirt right around it, then soak the valve in penetrating oil. You can use a sprinkler handle, or cut a notch in a piece of PVC or 2x4 and make it long enough to drop into the pipe and rest right at the edge, that way you will never misplace it in an emergency. After you get it working, I would put a little lubricating oil (not penetrant) for surface protection.
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Author:
ravi102769 (VA)
@sloren, why would you turn counter clockwise to close the valve? I have never seen a ball valve operate like that.
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Author:
jimpicstuff (TX)
Thanks for the advice so far. It's much appreciated.
Jim
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