How to Shut Off Water
in a Plumbing Emergency

When a pipe bursts or a fitting fails, the time between "I hear water" and "I found the shutoff" determines how much damage you're dealing with. Water can cause $1,000-$10,000 of damage in minutes. Every homeowner and renter should know exactly where their shutoffs are — before there's a problem.

Level 1: Fixture Shutoff Valves (Use First)

Most individual fixtures have their own shutoff valve. Use these first — they only affect one fixture and leave the rest of the house with running water.

• Toilets: Look behind and below the toilet tank, near where the supply line enters the wall. A small oval or football-shaped handle — turn clockwise to close.
• Faucets (under sink): Two valves under the sink cabinet — one for hot, one for cold. Oval handles; turn clockwise to close.
• Washing machine: Two valves on the wall behind the washer (red for hot, blue for cold) — turn clockwise to close.
• Water heater: Cold water inlet at the top — gate valve (round handle, turn clockwise) or ball valve (lever, turn perpendicular to pipe).
• Dishwasher: Usually under the kitchen sink near the hot water supply line.

If a fixture shutoff is stuck or stripped, move to the main shutoff.

Level 2: Main House Shutoff (Shuts Off All Water)

The main shutoff valve controls all water entering your home. Common locations:

• Basement: On the wall facing the street, near where the main pipe enters the foundation
• Crawl space: At the point where the water line enters the structure
• Utility room or mechanical room: Near the water heater or furnace
• Outside the home: In a buried box near the foundation (look for a metal plate in the ground)
• Garage: Common in warmer climates where basements are rare

Gate valve (round wheel handle): Turn clockwise until fully closed. May require multiple full turns. If it hasn't been operated in years, apply penetrating oil first if you have time.

Ball valve (lever handle): Turn the lever perpendicular (90 degrees) to the pipe to close. One quarter turn.

Level 3: Street/Curb Shutoff (Emergency or Plumber Use)

Located in a buried box at the curb or sidewalk near the street. Requires a special tool called a curb key or water meter key to operate. Typically used by utility workers and plumbers when the main house shutoff fails or isn't accessible.

You can purchase a curb key ($15-$25) at most hardware stores. Mark the box location so you can find it quickly. Turning off the street shutoff cuts water to the entire property including outdoor hose bibs.

After Shutting Off the Water

1. Open the lowest faucet in the house to drain remaining water from the pipes
2. Call a plumber for emergency repair — use National Plumber Connect to find a licensed emergency plumber near you
3. Document the water damage with photos for insurance purposes
4. Start drying the affected area immediately — standing water causes mold within 24-48 hours

Test Your Shutoffs Annually

Valves that haven't been operated in years can seize or fail when you need them most. Once a year, turn each fixture shutoff fully off and back on. Exercise the main shutoff the same way. This prevents corrosion buildup that makes valves impossible to turn in an emergency — and may reveal failing valves before they become emergencies.