How do I turn off my water main valve?

bonino

I’m going to install a new tap in the kitchen and because I don’t have safety water valves under the sink, I’ll need to shut the main water valve. This is usually straightforward but, in my case, I’m a bit clueless as to how to shut the valve for our house. Does anyone have experience with these types of valves? How do I shut it? I’ve tried turning it, but it just won’t rotate.

Thanks in advance!

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @bonino 

A.  Your water shut off valve seen better days and has partly  corroded open. We are talking about the flat blade shape just to the left of the meter.

It dosnt hurt  to spray it with wd40 for starters and  or CLR to try disolve rust and scale.

I would recommend a medium size shifting spanner (multigrips or lastly large plyiers)  and close the jaws snuggly over the top of the flat tap  handle . To turn it water off rotate the spanner and valve anti clockwise gentle at first to see if the tap moves.  Try a little harder to see if the tap moves..  Now try going clock wise. to help  break the rust seal.  Now  If you  can  tap the end of the spanner going anticlock wise again give it a few sharp taps.

The objective is to get the seal freed up from sitting in the one position all those years.

B .  If  no luck so far use a hammer/or the shifter spanner head,  lightly tap the flat valve down wards 2 or three love taps to gently try shock and break the seal.  Use a couple of love taps (short and shape with no real force) on the flats of the valve either  clock wise or anti clock wise. 

Now  repeat  steps at A.  

If your hands are not strong  at step A place a piece of pipe over the  wench handle  to increase your leverage. If you see the meter moving and twisting stop!  as plumbing  can break under  super heavy force.

I would use more force after that but I have the sense of a built in torque wrench and know when to stop using extra force before damage occurs.

Plan C I would cut a slot in a metal pipe and place it over the flat tap handle and at the top of the pipe drill a hole in it and put a large screw driver through it for a turn handle this will apply strong firm pressure and stop the tap resisting.

@EricL  Might know if bunning stocks  such a tool pre  build as they commonly are used in deeper pits where redbacks  lurk.

Well I really hope this frees up your problem and the tap indoors  might be a little tight too if they the same age simply give it the same treatment and respect.