How often do you actually test your main water shut-off?

I swapped out my old gate valve for a ball valve a couple years back too - honestly, I didn’t expect it to make such a difference. The old one was basically frozen shut when I moved in, and I had to use way more force than I was comfortable with just to get it moving. Ball valve’s been way easier, but I do get a little paranoid about over-tightening after hearing stories about leaks.

I’m not as diligent as some folks here - I probably test mine once a year, usually when I remember during spring cleaning or if I’m doing any plumbing work. Six months seems like a lot, but maybe that’s just me being lazy. Haven’t had any issues yet, knock on wood... but now you’ve got me wondering if I should check it more often.

I’m not as diligent as some folks here - I probably test mine once a year, usually when I remember during spring cleaning or if I’m doing any plumbing work.

Honestly, once a year isn’t too bad, but I’d lean toward every six months just to be safe. Ball valves are definitely less prone to sticking, but they can still seize up if left untouched for too long. I’ve seen a few cases where people thought theirs was fine until they actually needed it in an emergency... and then it wouldn’t budge. It’s not about being paranoid - just better safe than sorry, especially if you’ve got older plumbing.

I hear you on the ball valves - they're way better than those old gate valves, but yeah, they can still seize up if ignored. I’ve run into a few that needed a wrench and some elbow grease to get moving again. Out of curiosity, does anyone here actually tag their shut-off with the last test date? I’ve seen folks do that with HVAC filters and breakers, but not so much with water shut-offs. Wondering if it helps keep track or just ends up being one more thing to forget...

Never tagged mine, honestly. I just try to remember to give it a twist every few months when I’m down there checking the sump pump. If I started tagging dates, I’d probably forget to update it anyway… then I’d just feel guilty about the old tag staring at me. Ball valves are great, but yeah, they still need a little love now and then.

I get the temptation to skip tagging, but I’ve seen too many cases where folks *thought* they were keeping up, only to find the valve stuck when it really mattered. Personally, I use a cheap paint pen to jot the date right on the pipe. It’s low-effort, and even if I miss a cycle, at least I know how long it’s been. Ball valves are reliable, but they’ll seize up if ignored for too long - especially in older homes with hard water. Just my two cents...