pipeplumbingvalvewater-heater
This is somewhat a newbie question as I just bought this house. I assume design of plumbing must be common. So I wonder if I miss something.
Below is the "green" valve to shut off hot water into the house
But for the light of me I could not find the valve to shut off cold water in the pipe next to it.
Any idea?
In all likelihood you probably don't need to turn it off, but I would still recommend that you do so, if only because you might inadvertently hit the cold side of the faucet when working in the area.
You know the saying - if it can go wrong, it will. What's easier - cleaning up lots of water, or turning the valve off and back on?
The power to the softener is only used to run the backwash and recharge cycle. It will continue to operate without power, and will even continue to soften water for a while (though it does eventually need to be recharged, depending on the hardness of your water and how much you use).
Certain types of bypasses can be used as shut-off valves.
A custom-built one with 3 valves is easy: just close all valves.
There's a type with two valves that can also be used: close one (so the valves are in opposite directions).
Other types that only have one valve/control handle don't shut off the water flowing through them.
Separately, you should have a main-shutoff that is reliable. If you have a leak in your house it will likely cost much more than a valve will. Install a ball (quarter turn) valve, rather than a globe or gate valve -- very reliable, and will easily last at least a couple decades.
Best Answer
Trace the pipes further upstream to before the water heater.
Where the cold enters the house there will be a shut off.
Turn off the water heater while the water is shut off to avoid it turning on when there is no water inside and damaging itself.