Reply With QuoteI've gotta believe that yours is covered up with dirt or under the sidewalk.
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water main grid and shut-off valve
I'm trying to shut off my water from the street. I borrowed a city shut-off key from a friend (his dad used to be a city contractor). Unfortunately, however, I'm not sure which hub shuts off my water.
The only water pipes near the curb are located every third house. The one closest to me is in front of my neighbors house (on the farthest corner away from my house). Is it normal to have one shut-off for several houses? I haven't removed the cap yet, so there may be several shut-offs in one pipe (but I doubt there is room). I'd shut my water off closer to my house (at the meter), but I'm not sure where it is (I have a remote reader attached to the outside of the house). The house was built in the 1930's.
Please advise!
curb cock
I've gotta believe that yours is covered up with dirt or under the sidewalk.
valve
Occasionally some cities will connect two meters to the same pipe, but if so, then they are always right next to each other, and usually have individual shutoffs.
curb cock
I'll take another look to see if there is more than one pipe.
Have you ever had a problem when closing the curb cock? The water has probably not been shut off for at least 15 years.
There's gotta be one somewhere. As far a difficult to turn off, yes, they are usually very stiff turning. That's why the key has long handle bars. After I had my interior main valve break off and flood my basement while I waited for the city to arrive (night and a week-end), I had a welder friend make a key for me. At least in my city they don't want individuals to have them, but I've found it very handy to have 3 or 4 times since although a disaster like the broken valve.
found it
You were all correct!
I found the shut off. It was burried out by the street. I just went out with a long screwdriver and started poking around. Five minutes later I heard a thunk....gold!...well, not gold, but the cap to the water shut-off.
I couldn't budge the lid. I will have the turn-key tomorrow, but I'm not sure how to get the lid off without bending all my screwdrivers.
Thanks for your help everyone!
I hold plumbing licenses in two cities where it is a misdemeanor for me to have in my possesion a curb key, or to operate a curb key.
I don't know if it's actually illegal for a citizen to have a shut off key, but since I don't use it except to turn my own water supply off when I have work to that requires it, I'm not to worried about it. I think it must be a royal PITA for you to have to call the city to shut off a water supply line that you have to work on., but as a business person, you are more likely to have a problem than me.
It's funny someone mentioned that it is "unlawful" to have or use a curb key.I have heard the same thing about the great state of Va. I try to ALWAYS shut house water off at the street because i just find it easier then crawling through people's crap to get to a main cut off that will be IMPOSSABLE to replace if it gets wrung off etc,etc .
Anyway,,,,many times over the years i can swear i've been seen by water authority personel shuting off meters and NEVER ONCE has anyone said a word !
Must not be a felony . Besides,what are we expected to do in the case of emergencys ? " Uh, sorry 90 year old lady, I have the ability to stop that water from pouring onto your family airlooms,but it would be i could go to jail".
I don't think so . Lock me up .
Cal
Do it your own way, hero.
Sec. 92.13. Plumber not to shut off or turn on water.
No plumber or other person shall turn on or shut off the water supply at any stop cock at the main or in the boulevard, or allow any person in the plumber's employ to do so, nor shall the plumber have in possession any tool or instrument for that purpose. Violation of this section shall be cause for the water utility to take steps that may lead to suspension or revocation of the plumber's license.
(Code 1956, § 253.16; C.F. No. 93-905, § 27, 7-15-93)
http://www.stpaul.gov/code/lc092.html#sec92.13.
That law is not valid. The city in question can't tell you you can't own a curb key. The law should have read that you could not possess one while inside the city limits and even that could be challenged and beaten.
Now being caught using one is another story. The reason most don't want you using a key is that they charge to turn on and off and would be loosing $$$$ they also own the equipment and if it breaks they want it to be their guys that break it.
street keys
Where I come from we had two kinds of street keys. Sure makes life easier.
Our city would loan us one if needed. They would rather we used the key if we were working at a residence. They didn't have to get someone from the dpw and we didn't have to Wait for someone to come. Just a difference in cities.
Cass, that law is valid because I am licensed by that city, and their licensing of plumbers trumps the state of Minnesota, as they had a plumbing code/licensing prior to 1933, when the state stepped up.
It does not speak to the revocation of my state license, just my 'Certificate of Competency' with that city. It doesn't mean I can't own a curb key or operate it elsewhere, just not within the confines of Saint Paul.
Fellas, there's no point arguing over this. It's a dumb ordinance, but we're not going to change it by arguing here. I could possible understand an ordinance that prohibited a private citizen for having a key, but it seems to me that there should be an element of trust between the city and licensed plumbers over the use of one. It appears to be one of the well intended but ill conceived rules made by bureaucrats. If I was a private citizen in St Paul, I'd own one for my own use. If I were a licensed plumber in St Paul, I probably wouldn't risk my license.
Some of you are full of it .
If the situation was as i described ( 90 year old,water everywhere ) you'd use a curb key if needed .
We all would . Some of these rules/laws are B.S.....
Cal
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