How to Find and Shut Off Your Main Water Valve

If a pipe bursts, every minute of running water means more damage. Knowing where your main water shut off is, and how to close it, is one of the most useful things you can learn about your home. Find it today, before you need it.

1. Step 1: Where To Look

Start where the water line comes into the house. With a basement, look along the front wall, near the floor. In a crawl space or slab home, check near the water heater, under the kitchen sink, or in the garage. In warmer climates, it can be outside, near an outdoor faucet.

2. Step 2: Know Your Handle

You'll see one of two handles. A round wheel, or a straight lever.

3. Round Wheel Handle

A round wheel turns clockwise to close. Righty tighty. It usually takes two or more full turns, so keep going until it stops.

4. Lever Handle

A lever only needs a quarter turn. When the lever is in line with the pipe, it's open. Turn it slowly until it's across the pipe, and the water is off.

5. Step 3: Check It Worked

Open a faucet on the highest floor of the house, and watch it. If the flow stops, the water is off.

6. Leave The Street Valve Alone

There's also a valve out by the street, near the meter. That one belongs to the water utility, so don't operate it yourself. If your inside valve won't budge, or you can't find it, call a plumber or your water company.