How to turn off water main Australia

Australian water mains

The water main or water valve is in charge of managing the flow of water to your home or business. Australian water mains come in various shapes and sizes, but the ball valve, gate valve, or T-top isolation tap is the most prevalent.

Because it is intended to be open (to enable full flow) or closed, your water main should never be used to control water flow volume (to stop water flow entirely). The more you use your water main, the more corrosion and wear and tear you’ll incur.

Almost all of the city’s water mains will be left on or open all year round. However, turning off your water main may be required in some circumstances.

How to turn off water supply

Step one: Locate the water meter

Water meters are typically placed on your property’s front, left, or right. Locate the meter. The water meter’s top should be covered with either a metal or plastic cap. Water meter boxes with two readings are standard in areas where recycled water is used.

Step two: Remove the water meter cover

Place the screwdriver in the hole and pull the water meter cover plate off with it. Unless there is one already in place, you’ll have to contact your city hall and request that they put one in for you.

Step three: Empty the meter box

To empty the meter box while it’s full of water, use a cup to scoop it up and pour it out.

Step four: Shut off the isolation tap

Shut off the isolation tap or the ball valve that controls the flow of the water. To turn this tap off, spin it counterclockwise. It is necessary to use the shifter spanner and screwdriver if the stop valve or T-top tap cannot be turned by hand.

After inserting a screwdriver into its top hole, you should be able to see a small stop valve with your naked eye. Turn the shifter counterclockwise until you can no longer see the stop valve. Once you’ve returned to your house, open the front hose tap and let the water run to empty the line.

If you shut off your water because of a plumbing issue, you may now contact a local plumber, or if you turned off your water meter to make repairs, you should be good to go now.

Reasons why your tap has stopped functioning

Hot water system

If your taps aren’t working correctly, look at your hot water system to see if that’s the problem. If your taps are only spitting out cold water and no hot water, your water system may be malfunctioning.

Blocked drain

If you don’t discover any leaks, it’s possible that a blocked drain is to blame for your tap problems. Sediment buildup is the primary cause of drain blockage because it prevents the water from flowing.

Water main

When you turn on the tap and no water comes out, check if the water main is open. If your main valve is closed, no water will flow through your mainline and, therefore, your faucets. Reopen the main valve and test the faucets once again.

When to shut off the water supply

Turning off your water main isn’t something you do every day. However, there are a few circumstances in which knowing this information will be helpful.

• There is a water leak in your house.
• Keep an eye out for indications of standing water in your yard.
• See if you can find any water leaks, they could be coming from the base of the kitchen sink.
• Water is pouring out of your roof and down the sides of your home.
• A broken or ruptured water pipe in your home is the most likely cause of such problems.

Preventing additional damages

Preventing additional damage starts with turning off the main water valve. Other situations when shutting off your property’s water supply is necessary to include:

• Renovating a plumbing system.
• Plumbing installation, replacement, repair, or upkeep.
• Replacing the plumbing fittings is necessary. The water valve does not need to be shut off for in-house tasks. It is sufficient to shut off the indoor supply valve. However, in other scenarios, turning off the water supply is essential to avoid floods and reduce water damage and waste.

How do you turn off a water main, though? That’s the real question. And how on earth would you know where to look for it? The first step in shutting off your property’s water supply is locating the main water source.

How to locate your house’s water main

In Australia and other countries, the primary shutoff valve is usually located at the front of the property, covered by a cover plate. Mostly, water mains can be found in the kitchen or utility area in colder regions to protect them from freezing from the intense cold.

It’s as simple as turning the shutoff valve in the direction of the clock to stop the water from flowing into your home. The valve may be difficult to move if it is excessively stiff.

Contact local water department

Before you may turn off the water supply to your property, you must first notify the state’s water department. It’s okay to do this for the following reasons:

• You’re in the middle of a plumbing crisis, and the water shutoff won’t work.
• Your property is leaking because the line connecting it to the street has been turned off.
• Replacement of the primary shutoff valve is necessary.

You’ll be able to find the shutoff valve after notifying the appropriate government water agency. As previously stated, the shutoff valve for a property is usually located beneath a cover plate at the front of your property. If the cover plate is loose enough, pry it open with a screwdriver and pull it off.

If there’s a leaking tap in your kitchen, for example, shutting off the water supply will be a lot less complicated. Most home appliances have a separate shutoff valve that’s either on the wall or hidden within a cabinet.

Turning the shutoff valve counterclockwise will stop all water from flowing to the fixture after you’ve located it. Simultaneously turn off the hot and cold water valves on your mixing tap or shower if it has two valves.