In article , Jay Steiner wrote:
Bill Stock wrote:

[...]

It's hard to tell the type of valve from your description. It sounds like it is
not a ball valuve, which I would recommend replacing your main shut-off valve
(and any other shut-off valve that you care about) with a ball valve at your
next opportunity; they last a *long* time without going bad.

I concurr.

Regarding the outside shut off that the water department used, was it marked
above ground or have a visible cover to get to it? If my shut off inside the
house ever fails, or the run of pipe before the shut off ever fails, I'm at the
mercy of my water department to come out and *find* the shut off. For some
reason the shut offs (assuming it exists) in my 1960s era neighborhood are well
covered over. I'm very curious to know where it is, and I'd be willing to
install a cover so it can be accessed quickly if needed.

Is your water metered? Do you know where the meter is? The shut-off
valve is USUALLY right next to the meter. If its the type which needs
the T-Handle wrench, it will appear (from above) to be a metal bar about
2-3 inches long and 1/4 wide. If you are in an area of hard freezes,
the valve itself may be several feet down, below the frost line. You
may have to do some searching.

By the way, did the water department charge you another $60 turn the water back
on? Having your own wrench seems like a good idea, you should be able to find
them at a decent plumbing house.

Or at the borg.

--
Rich Greenberg N Ft Myers, FL, USA richgr atsign panix.com + 1 239 543 1353
Eastern time. N6LRT I speak for myself & my dogs only. VM'er since CP-67
Canines:Val, Red, Shasta & Casey (RIP), Red & Zero, Siberians Owner:Chinook-L
Retired at the beach Asst Owner:Sibernet-L