Finding Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve
Your main shut-off valve is typically located where the water line enters your home. In warmer climates, check outside near the front of your house. In colder climates, look in the basement, crawl space, or utility area. The valve is usually a gate valve (round handle) or ball valve (lever handle).
How to Turn Off the Main Water Supply
For a gate valve, turn the handle clockwise until it stops. For a ball valve, turn the lever 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the pipe. If the valve is stuck, don't force it - you could break it. Try applying penetrating oil and waiting a few minutes before trying again.
Individual Fixture Shut-Offs
Most sinks, toilets, and appliances have individual shut-off valves. Toilets have a valve behind or beside them near the floor. Sinks have valves under the cabinet. Washing machines have valves behind the unit. Use these for localized problems without shutting off your entire home.
When You Can't Stop the Water
If you can't locate or operate the shut-off valve, call your water utility immediately for emergency shut-off at the meter. While waiting, try to contain and redirect water away from valuables and electrical systems. Never enter standing water near electrical outlets.
Further reading
Background guidance from the organizations below. These resources do not endorse FloodPro or provide a quote or coverage decision for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which way do I turn a water valve to shut it off?
Clockwise ('righty-tighty') for round gate valves, until it stops without forcing. For lever-style ball valves, turn the handle a quarter turn so it sits perpendicular (crosswise) to the pipe. Parallel to the pipe means open; crosswise means closed.
Should I shut off water at the fixture or the main?
Use the fixture valve when the problem is clearly one fixture — a toilet, a sink supply line. Use the main when water is coming from inside a wall or ceiling, you can't identify the source, or the fixture valve doesn't stop the flow. When in doubt, shut the main.
After I shut the water off, what next?
Open a low faucet to drain pressure from the lines, move belongings out of the water's path, photograph everything, and call for professional water extraction. Shutting the valve stops new water, but the water already released keeps doing damage until it's removed and dried.
Need Professional Help Now?
Water damage gets worse by the hour. Our network of restoration professionals is available 24/7 for emergency response.
Call (844) 508-3743Learn more about our burst pipe cleanup services.
