When a pipe bursts or a toilet overflows, the difference between $200 in repairs and $20,000 in water damage is how fast you shut off the water. Know this before you need it.
The Main Shut-Off Valve — Most Important
This valve controls ALL water entering your home. Turning it off stops everything.
Where to find it:
- Basement: On the wall facing the street, near the floor, where the supply line enters from outside — usually a brass or copper pipe with a valve
- Utility room / laundry room: Same location if no basement
- Outside near the water meter: Usually in a box in the ground near the curb — requires a special tool (curb stop key) to turn
- Under the kitchen sink: Some older homes have a secondary main here
How to use it: Ball valves (lever handle) turn 90 degrees — parallel to pipe means OPEN, perpendicular means CLOSED. Gate valves (round wheel) turn clockwise to close (righty-tighty).
Right now: Go find yours. Make sure it turns. A valve that hasn't moved in 10 years can seize at the worst moment.
Individual Fixture Shut-Offs
For isolated problems, you don't need to shut off the whole house:
- Toilet: Oval valve on the wall behind the toilet, low to the floor. Turn clockwise to close.
- Sink: Under the sink cabinet — two valves (hot and cold) on the supply lines going up to the faucet.
- Washing machine: Two valves on the hoses coming out of the wall behind the machine.
- Water heater: Cold water supply valve directly above or near the inlet at the top of the tank.
- Refrigerator ice maker: Saddle valve on a nearby cold water supply line — turn clockwise.
After You Shut Off the Water
- Open the lowest faucet in the house to relieve pressure and drain remaining water from the lines
- For burst pipes: if you can safely access it, contain the leak area with towels to protect floors
- For sewage backup: don't run any water or flush any toilets
- Call your plumber
Keep our number saved: (631) 555-PIPE. 24/7 emergency response.