Emergency Water Shut-Off Guide

Your main water shut-off valve is where the water line enters your home: outside near the front (warmer climates) or in the basement, crawl space, or utility area (colder climates). Look for a gate valve (round handle) or ball valve (lever). Find it now—before an emergency—so you can act quickly.

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). Find it now, before you need it.

Turn a gate valve (round handle) clockwise until it stops. Turn a ball valve (lever) 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the pipe. If stuck, don't force it—apply penetrating oil and wait a few minutes. Breaking a stuck valve during an emergency makes the situation much worse.

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.

Use fixture shut-off valves for localized problems: toilets have valves behind them near the floor, sinks have valves under the cabinet, and washing machines have valves behind the unit. Turn these clockwise to stop water to just that fixture without shutting off your whole house.

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.

If you can't find or operate the shut-off valve, call your water utility immediately for emergency meter shut-off. While waiting, contain and redirect water away from valuables and electrical systems. Place buckets under leaks and use towels as barriers. Don't delay calling—utilities have 24/7 emergency lines.

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. Place buckets under active leaks and use towels to create barriers.