Fine Print
Everything on Shutoff Valley is general information for San Fernando Valley homeowners, checked against named sources, and it is not a substitute for advice about your own home.
Using what you read here
Pages explain water quality reports, codes, rebates and home plumbing in plain terms, with each figure dated and tied to its source. Rules, rebates, prices and reports change, so a page reflects what its sources said when they were read. Before you rely on a figure for a decision, open the source the page names and check that it still says the same thing.
Not professional advice
Nothing here is plumbing, engineering, legal, medical or insurance advice. Your house, your pipes, your water supplier and your insurance policy have details no general page can see. For work on your plumbing, a licensed plumbing contractor (C-36), whose license you can check with the Contractors State License Board, can assess the job. For permits, ask your city's building department. For health questions about water, ask your doctor or your water supplier. For coverage questions, read your policy and ask your insurer.
Safety first
If you smell gas, leave the building first, then call 911 or the gas utility from outside. Don't switch lights or appliances on or off, and don't turn a gas meter's service valve back on yourself; the gas company restores service. After an earthquake, follow the instructions of local emergency officials over anything you read here. Shut off water only at the house valve unless officials say otherwise, and stay away from damaged wiring and standing water.
Shop prices and products
Some pages link two shops that share this site's owners, explained on the ownership page. Prices mentioned are the shop's listed price on the date shown and can change at any time. Product descriptions from a shop are the shop's claims. Certifications are reported as the certifier lists them, and you should check the listing for the exact model before buying.
Changes
Pages are revised as sources change, and the date on each page shows when it was last updated. The site gives no warranty that any page is complete, current or right for your situation. How the site works and who is behind it are on the colophon and privacy notes pages.