Problems often can be spotted when MUD checks your water meter. If there are no signs of increased water use, but you don’t pay for all you get, there are two possible issues. First, the flow may not be metered correctly. More often, however, this is the result of an inoperable valve.
There are two types of inoperable valves
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Inoperable curb-stop stop valve
To check this valve, MUD pushes its key down through the soil to turn off the stop box off. That lets them check for broken valves inside your home. But if they can’t turn the water off there, they tell you the stop box must be repaired. They give you so many days to call a plumber to have it fixed.
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Inoperable gate or ball valve
These are located inside your home. Usually MUD finds the problem when they change your meter. If they can’t turn the water off to take the old meter out and put a new one in, you have an inoperable valve and you must get a plumber to fix it.
It’s possible a homeowner could have an inoperable valve and not know it. But if something breaks inside the house and you need to turn off the water, you first try the valve inside the house.
If that doesn’t work, the stop box is the next line of defense. If the curb–stop stop valve doesn’t work, water will continue to pour into your house until a plumber arrives.
Valve problems tend to increase when the weather turns cold or if the city has infrastructure changes like a broken water main.
Got a problem with an inoperable valve? We can help. Call us today at 402-731-2727.