How to Turn Off the Water to Your House (Emergency Guide)
A burst pipe, major leak, or plumbing emergency requires shutting off your water fast. Here is where to find the valve and how to use it.
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Where to Find the Main Shut-Off Valve
The main water shut-off valve is typically inside your house near where the water line enters the building. Common locations include the basement or crawl space near the front wall, the garage near the water heater, an interior utility closet, or near the water meter. In warmer climates where basements are rare, check the exterior wall near the front of the house or in the garage. The valve is usually a wheel-type (gate valve) or a lever-type (ball valve) on a pipe coming through the wall or floor.
How to Shut Off the Water
For a lever or ball valve (a handle that turns 90 degrees), turn the handle perpendicular to the pipe. When the handle is parallel to the pipe, water is on. When it is perpendicular (crosswise), water is off. For a wheel or gate valve (a round handle like a faucet), turn it clockwise several full turns until it stops. Do not force it if it is stuck — spray WD-40 on the stem and wait a few minutes before trying again. After closing, open a faucet to release any remaining water pressure.
Individual Fixture Shut-Offs
For smaller issues, you do not need to shut off the whole house. Every toilet, sink, and water heater should have its own shut-off valves. Under sinks, look for oval-shaped valves on the water lines going to the faucet. Behind toilets, there is a valve on the wall near the floor. Turn these clockwise to shut off water to that fixture only while you make repairs. This lets the rest of the house continue using water normally.
If You Cannot Find the Valve or It Is Stuck
If you cannot locate the valve inside your home or it will not turn, go to the curb box near the street. This is a small covered access point in the ground near your property line. You need a curb key or water meter key to open it. Inside is the municipal shut-off valve that controls water to your entire property. If you cannot operate this yourself during an emergency, call your water utility company emergency line — they can shut it off remotely or send someone quickly.
