The main water valve

One of the most important things to know about your house or apartment Is

Where is the main water shut off valve

Just imagine: Your sitting at your computer looking at my web site (And thinking what a great web site) when suddenly water is coming down from the ceiling and dripping very close to your computer. You have no idea where the water is coming from.|
what do you do?
Simple, you turn off your main water shut off valve. 

Oh you don't know where it is! now you have a problem. A broken pipe or washing machine hose can pour more then ten gallons of water a minute on to your floor or into your ceilings. the amount of damage water can do to your home is unbelievable.

So before you have a situation like this, make sure that you know where your main water shut off valve is, and that it works. I can not say where your valve is, so you will have to look for it your self. if you have town or city water chances are you will have a water meter, that is where your main valve should be, If it is in a difficult place to get to you should have a plumber come in and relocate the main valve to a more accessible place and change it to a Ball Valve. ( a ball valve has a lever type handle that turns the water off with just 1/4 turn) some towns don't have meters so you would have to look for the electric ground. Most electricians run a ground wire to the main water line where it first comes into the house. Have a professional locate it for you and make sure it is in good working order.
Find a local Plumbing and Heating contractor

If you are on a well look for a well tank. some tanks are in well houses and some tank are buried, but if all else fails you can always turn the power to the pump Off.

About those hoses don't leave the water to your washing machine on when you are not using them. turn the water off to them when not in use.