Emergencies
How to shut off your water in an emergency
Published by Prime Plumbing · Updated · How we write our guides
Short answer
Close the main shutoff valve, which is usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement or crawl space on the street-facing wall, in the garage, or near the water heater. Turn a round handle clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever handle a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe. Then open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines.
Where is the main water shutoff valve?
The valve sits on the main water line shortly after it enters the building. Where that is depends on how the house is built.
- Basement homes: on the wall facing the street, near the water meter
- Slab homes: in the garage, a utility closet or beside the water heater
- Crawl space homes: just inside the crawl space access or where the line comes up through the floor
- Warm climates: sometimes outdoors, on the line where it meets the house
- Apartments and condos: under the kitchen sink, in a utility closet, or controlled by building staff
How do I close each type of valve?
- Ball valve (lever handle): turn the lever a quarter turn until it is at right angles to the pipe
- Gate valve (round wheel handle): turn clockwise several full turns until it stops; do not force it
- Curb stop at the meter: needs a meter key and in many areas belongs to the utility, so call the water utility if the house valve fails
How do I shut off water to one fixture?
Toilets, sinks, dishwashers and washing machines have their own small stop valves on the supply line. Turn the oval or round handle clockwise. If the leak is at one fixture, this lets the rest of the house keep running.
How do I shut off the water heater?
Close the cold water valve on the pipe entering the top of the tank. Turn a gas heater's control to the pilot or vacation setting, or switch off the breaker for an electric heater, so it does not heat an empty tank.
When should I call a plumber?
Call if the main valve will not turn, will not stop the flow or leaks at the stem when you operate it. A plumber replaces a seized gate valve with a quarter-turn ball valve, tests the fixture stops and tags the main so everyone in the house can find it.
Common questions
Which way do I turn the valve to shut off water?
Clockwise for a round handle. For a lever, turn it a quarter turn so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.
What if my main shutoff valve is stuck?
Don't force it with a wrench; old gate valves can snap. Call the water utility to shut off at the meter, then have a plumber replace the valve.
Further reading from official sources
- Frozen Pipes (American Red Cross)
- Fix a Leak Week (US EPA WaterSense)
This guide is general information for homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site assessment. Plumbing codes and permit rules vary by city and state.