Hi all:

I recently bought a run-down house and I'm trying to renovate it. It currently has a leaking sink valve in one of the bathroom sinks that needs changing. I need to shut off the water for the entire house, however, I can't seem to find the main water shutoff. I looked at and near the water hear, in the garage, and outside the house but I could not find it. I did find the water meter on one of the walls but it is very small and no pipes are visible around it (it would seem as if just the meter part is sticking out of the wall and the pipes are within the wall). This house doesn't have a basement and I truly doubt the valve is in the attic. Are there any other possible places where I could find the main water shutoff? I also saw a couple of posts out there that shutting off the heater's cold in will shut off the water for the entire house, is this true?

Thanks

No, turning off the cold water input to the water heater will not turn off the water to the entire house. It will turn off the entire HOT water to the house.

What you describe sounds like a water meter dial only. It is digital readout of the actual water meter that is powered with micro voltage created by the actual meter. Tracing the wiring should lead you to the actual meter. These are often placed on the exterior when the actual meter is inside the house. The meter is probably underground near the street.

Tracing the cold water input to the water heater should lead you to where the water comes into the house. If you truly do not have a main shut off valve inside the house you can turn the water off at the street using a curb key. These can be purchased from a plumbing supply house.

Call your water department. Most codes mandate a stop located just upstream from the meter so the meter can be serviced and replaced without closing down the street main. Let me know what they say. Tom