Water Main Shut Off Tool

[billt460]

Yesterday I had to shut off the water at the street, because I was installing a outside Ball Valve for another hose connection at the opposite side of the house. Anyway, I struggled trying to shut it off because I didn't have the proper long "T" wrench the city workers all have.

I ended up on my knees, reaching inside the box, screwing around with a pair of Crescent wrenches to turn the key. I got it off, and back on again, but enough of that. Tomorrow I'm going to Home Depot and buying one.... This one:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/28-in-S.../a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a#product-section-qa

I got to thinking if I wasn't home and something happened, my wife wouldn't have a clue how to shut it off. I'll keep this in the garage, right by the door. Then I'll let her do it so she knows how. (The main shut off by the house is too much of a pain to get to).

Anyway my project turned out OK. I went from a soldered copper cap, to this. This will give maximum flow when I hook it up to my pressure washer. Which was the object of this whole exercise of annoyance, sore knees, and back pain.

 

[FZ1]

Call the city. They may replace the meter/valve for free.

 

[Pablo]

Yeah even with the tool those buggers are tight!

 

[billt460]

Call the city. They may replace the meter/valve for free.

There's nothing wrong with the valve. It's just hard to turn without the proper tool. Because it's located inside the box at the bottom, where there is minimum room to work. The tool makes it an effortless task. It's not something you need very often, but is good to have.

 

[Nukeman7]

They also make 1/4 turn hose bibbs with a full-flow ball valve: Everbilt Brass Hose Bibb

 

[billt460]

They also make 1/4" turn hose bibbs with a full-flow ball valve: Everbilt Brass Hose Bibb

Those should be code on homes instead of those crappy hose bibs they always put in. They work OK, but don't have the flow of a full Ball Valve. Which is why I went with a oversize Ball Valve. The I.D. of the ball on this valve is the same or a bit larger than the I'D. of the pipe feeding it. And the "built in" hose connection is a nice feature that comes with a nice heavy duty brass cap attached to it.

This is the valve I used:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/PLUMBFL...ll-Valve-with-Chain-and-Cap-256VBHT/312502657

 

[FZ1]

There's nothing wrong with the valve. It's just hard to turn without the proper tool. Because it's located inside the box at the bottom, where there is minimum room to work. The tool makes it an effortless task. It's not something you need very often, but is good to have.

I just call the city. They replace the meter and the new valve is easy to turn.

 

[DCDG]

Call the city. They may replace the meter/valve for free.

likely not. depending on size they cost upwards of $2,000 my water authority will not replace unless absolutely necessary.

 

[FZ1]

likely not. depending on size they cost upwards of $2,000 my water authority will not replace unless absolutely necessary.

Gotta play with the cards the City deals you.

 

[JohnnyG]

So, you don't get freezing weather there in that part of Aridzona?

 

[wavinwayne]

Not sure what my shutoff valve at the meter looks like because I've never looked in the 1.5 years I've lived here. My plumber has shut it off a couple of times and all I've seen him use is an adjustable wrench.

 

[dbias]

The T handle shut off tool for the water meter for your water service is what we call a “street key” on the fire department. I have used it literally hundreds of times on the job especially when it warmed up after a long hard freeze.
I have mine mounted in the wall right beside my garage door and the water meter is in my yard right beside my drive way at the street.
Many times the lid to the meter well is hard to get pried up to access the meter and many water meter lids have an indentation or a hole in the middle with a small bar across it and it is easy to lift if you put the edge of the handle into the indentation and use the street key as a lever. If your water meter lid doesn’t have the indentation you can also just put the edge of the handle into the dirt beside the lid and scrape it up without having to get down on the ground and dig it up with your hands.

 

[billt460]

So, you don't get freezing weather there in that part of Aridzona?

No, at least nothing that will freeze pipes. It might get to the high 30's right before Sun up. But it warms up pretty quick after daylight.

 

[AZjeff]

So, you don't get freezing weather there in that part of Aridzona?

At Lake Havasu in the winter the lava flows just slow down a little.

Right now.

 

[Nukeman7]

Not sure what my shutoff valve at the meter looks like because I've never looked in the 1.5 years I've lived here. My plumber has shut it off a couple of times and all I've seen him use is an adjustable wrench.

 

[billt460]

That's exactly how my valve looks. I measured the thickness of the wrench flat with a pair of calipers, and it's just under 1/2" thick. (.440).

Another nice thing about having the long Tee Wrench is not having to stick your hands in there. Snakes and scorpions like to use water boxes as a hotel out here.

 

[Hall]

So, you don't get freezing weather there in that part of Aridzona?

OP still indicated he had to reach in pretty deep, at least enough to struggle a little bit, so I'm guessing it's 2' deep at least.

 

[fdcg27]

A street key is a good thing to have available if ever needed.
I paid less than twenty bucks at Home Depot for mine and have used it a couple of times.
It will allow you to absolutely isolate the house from any water flow.

 

[Nukeman7]

A street key is a good thing to have available if ever needed.
I paid less than twenty bucks at Home Depot for mine and have used it a couple of times.
It will allow you to absolutely isolate the house from any water flow.

That is an invaluable precaution that should be taken when someone goes on an extended vacation. Just be sure that the electrical/gas supply is shut off on the water heater so you don't risk damaging the element/burner.

 

[fdcg27]

That is an invaluable precaution that should be taken when someone goes on an extended vacation. Just be sure that the electrical/gas supply is shut off on the water heater so you don't risk damaging the element/burner.

Agree, but if you're going to be away for awhile it makes sense to shut down the water heater anyway.
I will shut the water off at the meter pit with the street key if we're going to be away for a week or more.