Owning a home comes with plenty of rewards – but it also means being prepared for the unexpected. Whether it’s a burst pipe in the middle of winter or a tripped breaker on a cold night, knowing a few basics about your home’s systems can save you from stress, damage, and expensive emergency repairs.
Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve Is
If a pipe bursts or a fixture starts leaking, your main water shut-off is the first thing you’ll need to reach.
Most homes in Massachusetts have the main valve located where the water line enters the house – often in the basement, utility room, or near the water meter.
Tip: Turn the valve clockwise (“righty-tighty”) to shut the water off completely. It’s worth testing it once a year to make sure it still works easily – and make sure every member of the household knows where it is.
Know How to Shut Off Your Water Heater
Whether it’s a gas or electric unit, your water heater has its own shut-off controls that are important in case of leaks, overheating, or maintenance.
- For gas water heaters, locate the gas supply line and turn the shut-off valve perpendicular to the pipe.
- For electric water heaters, flip the dedicated breaker switch in your electrical panel to “off.”
If you ever hear unusual sounds, smell gas, or see water pooling around the tank, shut it down and call a licensed professional like Akian right away.
Know How to Turn Off Power to Your Heating System
If you ever smell burning, hear strange noises from your furnace or boiler, or need to safely work around the system, you should know how to cut the power.
With most heating systems, there’s typically a switch located on the unit similar to a standard light switch which should power the unit down. Flip that switch off to stop power to your furnace or boiler. You can also turn it off at the electrical panel if needed.
Pro tip: Label that switch clearly so it’s easy to find in an emergency – especially for family members or house sitters.
Know Where Your Electrical Breaker Panel Is (and How to Use It)
Every homeowner should know how to reset a tripped breaker safely. Your breaker panel is usually in the basement, garage, or utility room. If part of your home loses power, open the panel and look for a switch that’s in the middle position – that’s a tripped breaker.
Flip it fully “off,” then back “on.” If it keeps tripping, don’t ignore it – there could be a short or overloaded circuit.
Safety tip: Never touch electrical components with wet hands or standing water nearby.
Know How to Shut Off Your Gas Supply (If Applicable)
If you have natural gas in your home, you should know how to turn it off in case of an emergency such as a leak.
Your main gas shut-off valve is usually located just before the gas meter outside or where the gas line enters your home. Using a wrench, turn the valve one-quarter turn until it’s perpendicular to the pipe – that means it’s off.
If you smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a leak – leave your home immediately and call your gas company or 911 before doing anything else.
Bonus Tip: Keep a Home System Cheat Sheet
Print or write down a quick reference guide with all your shut-off locations and breaker labels. Keep it in a kitchen drawer, taped inside a cabinet, or saved in your phone for quick access.
When something goes wrong, you’ll be glad you have it.
Stay Prepared with Professional Help
Knowing your home’s systems is the first step in protecting it. The next step is keeping them maintained. From annual heating tune-ups to plumbing inspections, Akian Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric helps homeowners across the greater Boston area stay safe, comfortable, and prepared for whatever comes their way.