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How to Turn Off the Water to Your House

Using Water Shutoff Valves for Emergencies and Plumbing Repairs

Learning how to turn off the water to your house is important for emergencies and plumbing repairs. You would need to shut off the water to prevent floods indoors if the pipes break or plumbing fixtures overflow, for example. Shutting off the water supply in your home is usually necessary when you are making plumbing repairs to any of the fixtures or pipes in your home's plumbing system.

There are a few different places where you can shut off the water. Water can be shut off to the home at the main valve where the municipal water supply comes into the house. This valve may be installed on the exterior of your home in the front or back or indoors in the basement, for example. Water can also be shut off by the municipality at the home's water meter, which could be on or off your property. But it helps to know where the main valve is located so you can turn off the water yourself. Generally, no tools are required to shut off the water. Read on for more information about where and how to shut off your home's water supply.

person shutting off the water at the faucet

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How to Locate and Turn Off the Main Water Valve

To locate the main shutoff valve for the home, look for a utility space near where the main water line enters the house or on an outside wall near the water meter (if the meter is on your property). This valve will always be located on the same side of the house as the water meter and it is usually a rather large valve that may need some elbow grease to operate.

After closing off the main shutoff valve, turn on a faucet in your home located on a lower floor, such as in a basement or even outdoors. Also, turn on a faucet on a higher floor of your home. Doing this allows any standing water to drain out of the plumbing system before you begin working on the pipes.

Tip

Some homes are equipped with branch valves that shut off the water supply to selected lines in the home. These valves are located along the main branch pipes and located in accessible utility areas.

How to Turn Off Water at the Water Meter

You may also be able to shut off the water at the water meter itself. Water meter boxes sometimes have two shutoff valves, one on the customer side and one on the city side of the meter. This should be a last resort because in many communities there are ordinances that frown upon homeowners touching any part of the plumbing system positioned on the street side of the water meter. The plumbing lines beyond the meter technically belong to the city, so you should not touch this valve unless there is no other option—such as if the main shutoff valve on the house side is non-existent or doesn't work.

Water meter

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How to Turn Off Water at Fixtures and Appliances

If a faucet is dripping or a toilet is running—or there's a problem with any appliance supplied by water—shut off the water right at that fixture or appliance. This way, other fixtures can continue to operate while you take your time to make the repair. The fixture shutoff valves will differ in appearance and location, but generally, they will be very close to the fixture or appliance. Here's where to look:

  • Sink faucets: Look for the shutoff valves under the sink near where the water supply tubes run up to the faucet. There should be a valve for hot water and one for cold water.
  • Toilets: A single shutoff valve (a toilet uses only cold water) is usually located near the floor below the water supply valve on the bottom left side of the toilet tank.
  • Showers/tubs: Look around the tub or shower for an access panel. It may be on the other side of the wall from the tub or shower. If it is not found behind an access panel, then it may be located under the floor in the basement or a ceiling access panel in the floor below. Shower bodies are manufactured with built-in stops (valves) and are usually accessible when you remove the escutcheon plate.
  • Dishwashers: The water supply tube running to the dishwasher often has a fixture shutoff valve typically located under the kitchen sink base cabinet and near the sink faucet shutoff valves.
  • Refrigerator ice makers/water dispensers: The small copper or mesh supply tube running to the refrigerator usually has a small saddle valve or fixture shutoff valve to close the water supply. Sometimes, the refrigerator's supply tube may tap into a water supply line beneath the sink.
  • Washing machines: There will be a water supply valve controlling the hot water inlet hose and another controlling the cold water. These may be located on a utility sink or in a recessed water supply valve box set into the wall near the washing machine.

But if you don't find the shutoff valve near the affected fixture or appliance, don't worry. You can shut off the water by turning off the main water supply valve near the water meter.

toilet water valve

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How to Turn Off Water at the Water Heater

When a hot water pipe is leaking, or if you need to repair or replace a water heater, there are shutoff valves located near your water heater. Depending on your water heater's setup, you will need to locate the correct valve to turn off. If you notice a blue or yellow shutoff valve feeding the water heater, that is likely the one to shut off but leave the red valve for the hot water alone.

However, it is best to immediately call your HVAC servicing company or your plumber so they can help talk you through which valve to shut off.

Water heater shut off valves

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main shutoff valve

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

FAQ
  • Is it OK to turn off the main water to the house?

    It is fine to turn off the main water to the house. Doing this does not damage your pipes. Some homeowners do this when they go on vacation to avoid leaks or floods.

  • Does shutting off the water affect the water heater?

    If you shut off the water to your house you should also shut off the water to your water heater. Doing so will avoid any damage to the components of your water heater. Call your HVAC servicer or a plumber to walk you through the steps of shutting down your particular water heater system.

  • Will pipes burst if the water is turned off?

    Even if the water is turned off, there is always a risk that pipes could burst if they still have water in them when outdoor temperatures plummet.

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  1. How to Turn Off Your Water Heater and When It May Come Up. Homeserve.

  2. 3 Reasons to Turn Off Your Water Before a Long Vacation. Angi.