Where to Find Your Water Shut-Off
Closing the main valve quickly is the single best way to limit water damage. Find yours now, on a calm day, rather than during a burst.
Request a plumberCheck the meter box first
On many slab homes the main shut-off is at or near the meter box by the street. Some houses also have a valve on the line where it rises out of the ground near the house, or in the garage near the water heater.
Open or closed?
A lever handle is closed when it sits across the pipe. A round handle closes clockwise. Old valves can break if forced, so turn them steadily rather than hard.
A meter key helps
Valves at the meter box may need a meter key or a long-handled wrench. Keep one where you can find it. The city's valve on the street side of the meter is for the utility to use.
Test it
Close the valve, open a faucet and wait a minute. If water keeps coming, the valve isn't sealing and should be replaced before an emergency.
Valves at each fixture
Toilets, sinks, the washer and the water heater should each have their own shut-off. They let you stop one leak without cutting water to the whole house.
If it won't close
If the main is stuck or leaking, ask a plumber to replace it. See emergency plumbing if water is already running.
Show everyone
Once you've found the valve, show everyone in the house where it is and how it turns. Tie a tag on it or note its location inside the garage door, so a sitter or house guest can find it too.
More plumbing guides
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