Your main water shutoff valve is usually where the water line enters the house: on a basement or crawl space wall facing the street, near the water heater in homes built on a slab, or outside near the foundation in warm climates. Turn a round gate valve clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever ball valve a quarter turn so the handle sits across the pipe.
Reviewed by Ron Olsen, Master Plumber, certified in Washington
Where the Main Shutoff Valve Is Usually Located
- Basement or crawl space: on the wall facing the street, where the water line comes through the foundation.
- Slab homes: in a garage, utility closet or laundry room, often near the water heater.
- Warm climates: outside, on an exterior wall or in a small box near the foundation.
- At the meter: usually in a covered box near the curb. This valve may belong to the water utility and can need a meter key to turn.
How to Close a Gate Valve or Ball Valve
- Gate valve (round wheel handle): turn it clockwise until it stops. Don't force it past resistance.
- Ball valve (lever handle): turn it a quarter turn so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to confirm the water has stopped and to drain pressure from the lines.
What to Do if the Main Valve Won't Turn
Old gate valves often seize. Forcing one can break the stem and make the leak worse. If it won't move with steady hand pressure, shut the water off at the meter (or call your water utility) and call a plumber. Replacing a seized main valve is a quick, inexpensive repair and is worth doing before an emergency.
Test Your Main Shutoff Twice a Year
Close and reopen the main valve every 6 months so it doesn't seize. Make sure everyone in the home knows where it is, and keep the area around it clear.
Burst and Frozen Pipes by City
What our city pages say about burst and frozen pipes:
- Indianapolis, IN: Sub-zero cold can freeze pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and unheated areas.
- Jersey City, NJ: Cold snaps freeze pipes along exterior walls, in basements and in unheated or vacant units.
- Layton, UT: Hose bibs and lines in garages and outside walls freeze in cold snaps.
- Maple Grove, MN: Lines in rim joists, over garages and in outside walls freeze in sub-zero cold.
- Cranston, RI: Lines in porches and outside walls freeze in cold snaps.
- Jackson, TN: Pipes in vented crawl spaces and outside walls freeze when an arctic front comes through.
- Shoreline, WA: Lines in crawl spaces and garages freeze in cold snaps.
- Missoula, MT: Lines in outside walls, crawl spaces and shallow services freeze in deep cold.
Main Water Shutoff Questions
Should I turn off the water heater when I shut off the main valve?
Yes. Turn electric water heaters off at the breaker and set gas units to pilot, so the tank doesn't heat without water coming in.
Can I shut off the water at the street myself?
In many areas the curb valve belongs to the water utility. If you can't reach your home's own shutoff, call the utility's emergency line.