This quick and easy guild will tell you how to turn your water off no matter what type of building your in

So you suspect you have a water leak in your home? You may have a really high water bill, some signs of water pooling in your front yard or even water spurting out under your kitchen sink cabinet. You could have a burst water pipe. So what should you do?

Before you even call a Melbourne plumber, the first thing to do is to turn off your water supply. Now this can be easy in some houses and it can be down right impossible in others. Let me run you through how you turn you water off. When you locate the tap or valve handle you want to turn it clockwise to isolate the water.

What you are essentially looking for is a valve handle on the water meter or a valve handle on your water supply line.

You may need a few tools with you. These could be a shifting wrench or a pair of pliers.

Different places you can find your water meter...

If you live in a stand alone brick veneer home in the suburbs, chances are your water meter will be located at the front of your house. You will have walked pass it hundreds of times (sometimes without knowing) and it will more than likely be located in the lawn area or a garden bed.

If you live in a unit or duplex closer to Melbourne your water meter could be located on the side of your home, you will notice this usually in the front yard but sometimes these are located in the back as well. There should also be a mains water meter that you can turn off. Please not that turning this off will turn both or all of the units in your block off and should only be used if you cannot find your individual meter or if your individual meter does not work.

If you live in an apartment block you water meter should be located in the carpark below if you have an underground carpark. In newer blocks these will usually be located in a group with other water meters and can be located inside a cabinet usually near other services. When turning off the water supply to an apartment, make sure you are turning off the water to your apartment and not someone else's in the same block. You can usually tell by the markings on the meter itself - look for your apartment number.

If your in a factory or office building, your water meter should be located at the front of the property. You will usually see the water meter located close to the fire service and will usually be a larger valve and meter assembly. You may need some tools to help you turn off the water. If you have a factory unit or your office is part of a complex you may have an individual meter located near the front door of your office.

Once you have your water turned off you'll need to contact a qualified plumber to help you with your plumbing issue. If you cannot find your water meter even after following our guild please call us for specific instructions