Knowing where and how to shut off your home’s water is just as important as knowing how to reset a circuit breaker. In both emergency and routine situations, shutting off water quickly can prevent costly damage and make repairs safer and easier.
You may need to shut off your water for a variety of reasons, including a burst or leaking pipe, replacing a water heater, repairing a sprinkler system, or addressing plumbing work inside your home. Taking a few minutes now to understand your shutoff options can save time and stress later.
Fixture Shutoff Valves and Isolation Valves
In many situations, the best first step is to shut off water only to the affected fixture or appliance rather than turning off water to the entire home.
Most sinks and toilets have small shutoff valves located on the water line beneath or behind the fixture. Larger appliances such as washing machines and water heaters typically have their own isolation valves as well. These valves control water flow to a specific fixture and can be turned off independently.
It is a good idea to test these valves periodically to make sure they are working properly. After turning a valve off, open the hot and cold water lines (if applicable) to relieve pressure and confirm that the water has stopped flowing.
Interior Fixture Shutoff Examples
• Sinks
• Toilets
• Washing machines
• Water heaters
Knowing where these valves are located can help you respond quickly to small leaks before they become major problems.
Exterior Shutoff Valves: Customer-Owned vs. Utility-Owned
If a fixture-level shutoff does not exist or does not resolve the issue, you may need to use your customer-owned exterior shutoff valve.
This valve is typically located near your water meter, close to the front property line, usually near the sidewalk or street. It is located underground in a covered meter box and is positioned on the side of the meter closest to your home. The valve may have a round knob or a ball valve handle that requires a quarter turn to shut off the water.
If your home does not have a customer-owned shutoff valve, one must be installed. This is a requirement and should be handled by a licensed plumber.
There is also a valve located next to the meter that belongs to the utility. This valve may only be operated by utility personnel. It is illegal to tamper with, obstruct, or remove a water meter or the utility-owned shutoff valve. Damage to the meter or valve may result in repair costs and fines billed to the property owner.
Your customer-owned shutoff valve may or may not be located inside the same box as your water meter.
Pressure Regulator Valves (PRV)
Some properties have a pressure regulator valve located just above the customer-owned shutoff valve. This valve reduces incoming water pressure to a safe level before it enters your home.
Property owners should never attempt to adjust a pressure regulator valve themselves. Improper adjustment can cause serious plumbing damage. Only a licensed plumber should adjust water pressure. The utility does not adjust PRVs.
How to Turn Valves On and Off
For traditional gate or wheel-style valves, turning the valve clockwise (to the right) shuts the water off. Turning it counterclockwise (to the left) turns the water on. A simple way to remember this is “righty tighty, lefty loosey.”
For ball valves, the position of the handle indicates whether the water is on or off. When the handle is parallel to the pipe, the water is on. When the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, the water is off.
Knowing where and how to shut off your water is essential to protect your home.