Plumbing earthquake preparation comes down to four things: know where your water and gas shutoffs are, keep a wrench handy for the gas meter, make sure the water heater is braced and has flexible connectors, and know what to check afterward. None of it takes more than an afternoon, and it can prevent the two worst plumbing outcomes of a quake, a house fire from a gas leak and a flood from a broken line.
This is a preparation checklist. For what to do right after shaking stops, see our guide on strapping a water heater, which includes a short list.
A weekend checklist
| Job | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Know the water shutoff | Find and test the main valve | Stops a flood in seconds |
| Know the gas shutoff | Locate the meter and the quarter-turn valve | Stops a gas leak if one occurs |
| Brace the water heater | Two straps into studs | Keeps the tank upright |
| Use flexible connectors | Replace rigid gas and water lines to the heater | Absorbs movement without tearing |
What to know about the meter
Gas shutoff basics
- 1Find the meter and the shutoff valve beside it, and clear access.
- 2Keep an adjustable wrench nearby, as utilities commonly advise.
- 3Learn which way the valve turns, a quarter turn to cross the pipe.
- 4Shut it off only if you smell gas, hear hissing, or see line damage.
- 5Leave the restoration to the gas utility, and ask what its policy is.
Do not guess about gas. If you are unsure, leave the house and call 911 and the utility from outside. Our gas piping page explains what we do afterward, and a seismic shutoff valve is an option we can discuss.
Your water heater is also a reserve
A tank water heater holds tens of gallons of water, which can serve as emergency supply if the tank is intact. You can drain it from the bottom valve after turning off power or gas and closing the cold inlet. The same tank must be braced, because a tipped tank is a hazard and a lost resource.
If your heater is old, consider replacement with proper bracing and flexible connectors. Our heater replacement page covers a code-compliant setup.
Small changes that help
| Item | Why it helps | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gate valve on the main | Can seize or break | Replace with a ball valve |
| Rigid heater connections | Can tear in a quake | Replace with flexible connectors |
| Old fixture shutoffs | May fail when needed | Test and replace |
| Unsecured items near the heater | Can fall and break lines | Store them elsewhere |
What is special about older homes here
Southern California homes of the 1950s, which make up roughly 13,400 of Downey's homes by census-based counts, often have older shutoffs and original heater connections. South Gate has roughly 5,600 homes from 1939 or earlier. Older lines and valves are more likely to fail when the ground moves.
The City of Downey Water Division keeps about 260 miles of water mains and 22,500 meter connections, and a break on the utility side is the utility's job. Your side of the meter is yours, so the steps above matter. We help homeowners in South Gate, CA and across the area prepare before the next quake.
Plumbing items worth keeping together
A small kit for the garage or utility area
- 1An adjustable wrench for the gas meter valve, hung near the meter.
- 2A flashlight and spare batteries.
- 3A pair of work gloves and closed shoes.
- 4A few towels and a bucket.
- 5A written note of where each shutoff is and how it turns.
- 6A phone photo of the main water and gas valves.
Keep the wrench where it will not rust shut, and where you can reach it without moving anything. If a family member cannot lift it, think about who can. Practice with the water valve, and learn the gas valve's position by looking, not by turning it.
Tell everyone in the household where the kit is, and review it twice a year. A few minutes of familiarity helps far more than the best equipment nobody can find.
| Item | Check how often | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Water heater straps | Yearly | Tight and not rusted through |
| Flexible connectors | Every few years | No kinks, corrosion, or leaks |
| Main water valve | Yearly | Turns freely |
| Gas shutoff access | Yearly | Clear path and wrench in place |
| Emergency water | Twice a year | Stored water is fresh |
Preparation will not stop an earthquake, but it makes the plumbing less likely to turn a bad day into a worse one. We are glad to walk through shutoffs, straps, and connectors in a quick visit.
A ten-minute drill
Show the water valve
Have each person close and open it.
Point out the gas meter
Show the valve, but do not turn it.
Show the heater straps
Explain why they are there.
Review the kit
Show where the wrench and flashlight live.
A drill like this takes ten minutes and can be repeated twice a year. Children and visitors should know where to find help, and adults should know the one thing not to do, which is to relight a pilot or restore gas after a quake without the utility. Written steps taped inside a cabinet door help in a stressful moment.
Do a quick review each year when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors, because that gives you a reminder date you will not forget. If you are buying or selling a home, add the plumbing items above to your inspection checklist.
A buyer who sees straps, flexible connectors, and a working main valve learns something about how the house was cared for. A seller who can show receipts for that work has an easy answer to a common question, and a safer house to hand over.
Water heater bracing is a code matter. The California Plumbing Code, built on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), expects heaters to be anchored against seismic movement, and a permitted replacement is inspected for it. Treat the straps as part of the equipment, not an accessory.
Common questions
No. Shut it off only if you smell gas, hear hissing, or see damage to the line. Once off, leave it to the utility to restore service. Check with your gas utility for its guidance.
Utilities commonly recommend an adjustable wrench kept near the meter. Know the quarter-turn direction before you need it.
Tank water can be an emergency supply if the tank was intact and the water was clean. Turn off the power or gas, close the cold inlet, and drain from the bottom valve. Check with local guidance during an actual emergency.
A valve that closes automatically when it senses strong ground motion. Some cities require one in certain situations. It does not replace good piping.
Want your plumbing checked?
Call the Downey line and we will walk through the shutoffs and the heater.
☎ Call (562) 488-9614