This is the main shutoff valve in the same closet as a Hot Water Heater. The Pipe Supplying the Hot water heater appears to be 3/4 inch copper. I was inspecting this for the Plumbing Pre-Licensure Course. My gut tells me it should not be behind the drywall like this. What are the defects you all would write up?
If I can get to it to turn the water off it’s not a defect. I may make a note that servicing the valve would be easier if it was installed in a valve box.
In some parts of the country, the main water shut off valve is located at the street in the form of a buffalo box, curb box or corporation cock. You need a 5 foot key to access it. Servicing the valve would require digging it up.
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Where are you located?
Is it a cold climate?
Is the valve in an exterior wall?
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Looks good from here. Just had my basement toilet replaced. Had to shut the water off from the curb stop (as @mwilles indicated above). House does have a main water valve, for some reason the original owner took the water for that toilet before the main valve. Go figure? There was no way to know that in a home inspection.
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In my area, recessed water main shut-off valves that look like that are almost always ( 99% of the time) in a polybutylene plumbed house.
That’s a purely anecdotal observation, FWIW.
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Midwest, Sometimes in teens F, not on exterior wall.
The location of the valve itself is not a defect.
What I would like to see and report on, is the size and material of the main water line. In this case I would report it as undetermined.
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Observation: Gate Valve. No visible obstructions.
No recommendations.
As for your gut…Likely you just had indigestion.
Did you locate the water meter?
I’m located in the Midwest as well. Around here 99% of the time the water meter is right at the shut off valve. Plus the GEC & jumper is at this location.
How are there no visible obstructions when you are unable to see the actual valve?
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To be fare Jeff, have you ever see the inside of a gate valve while inspecting the main water shutoff valve?
No visible operational obstructions. Everything else is a limitations.
Do you ever think about what you are about to post before typing?
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Good point. I should ignore you and have been told that by Roy Cooke Senior. You are on bias SOB! LOL!
Justin - as Kevin points out, the main reportable issue here is what you can’t see. You don’t know what the material of the main supply line is - owned by the homeowner, running from the utility valve underground and sprouting through the foundation wall right behind the visible part. Could be copper, lead, plastic, etc.
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And although I don’t see it but once a year or so anymore, and depending on the age of the house, it could be Blue Max, which would also be a huge red flag.
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Now you’re a victim of discrimination?