Your plumbing system has several types of shutoff valves that can be used to shut off the water in case of an emergency or to make repairs.
Your home's plumbing system has a variety of valves found at various points along the water pipes that allow you to turn off the water during emergencies or when you need to make repairs or upgrades. Shutting off the water is often the first step of many plumbing projects. Locating and turning off the appropriate water shutoff valve is, therefore, very important.
Water valves can range from the main valve found near the water meter where water first enters your home to small, individual fixture shutoff valves that mark the transition from the branch water supply lines to the supply tubes that deliver water to faucets, toilets, or other appliances. Some of these valves are quite large while others are rather small.
Valves generally operate in one of two ways: Either a solid internal part rotates to open or block the flow of water, or some kind of stem with a washer or seal "squeezes" down to seal the flow of water.
Here are seven common types of water shutoff valves to help you identify yours.