How to Find Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
Your main water shutoff valve is typically located where the water line enters your home—often in the basement, garage, or on an exterior wall facing the street. Turning this valve clockwise will shut off all water to your house instantly.
Check the Perimeter Inside Your Home
The valve is almost always on the side of the house that faces the street, as that's where the municipal water line comes in. Look at ground level in utility areas.
- Inspect the basement or crawlspace near the front foundation wall.
- Check inside the garage if it's attached to the front of the house.
- Look in utility closets near the water heater.
Look Outside the House
In warmer climates like the Carolinas, the shutoff valve is frequently located on an exterior wall rather than inside the home. It may be partially buried or hidden behind landscaping.
- Walk the perimeter of your home, starting at the front.
- Look for a pipe emerging from the ground with a handle on it.
- Check near the outdoor hose bibs or utility meters.
Find the Meter Box Near the Street
If you absolutely cannot find the valve on or inside the house, you can shut the water off at the municipal meter box near the curb.
- Locate the metal or plastic cover set into the ground near the street.
- Remove the lid (you may need a heavy screwdriver to pry it up).
- Use a meter key or an adjustable wrench to turn the valve next to the meter 90 degrees.
Test the Valve and Tag It
Once you find the valve, test it to ensure it isn't stuck. In an emergency, you don't want to discover the handle won't budge.
- Turn the valve to the off position and open a cold water faucet in the house to verify.
- If the valve is extremely stiff, do not force it; call a plumber to replace it.
- Hang a bright tag on the valve so everyone in the family knows where it is.
When to Call a Professional
Call a plumber if your main shutoff valve is stuck, heavily corroded, or visibly leaking. Do not force it to turn.
What a Plumber Will Do
A plumber will safely shut off the water at the street meter, cut out the old, corroded valve, and solder in a reliable, modern quarter-turn ball valve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which way do I turn the shutoff valve?
Remember "righty-tighty." Turn a round handle clockwise to close it. For a lever handle, turn it perpendicular to the pipe to shut off the water.
What if the shutoff valve is stuck?
Do not use extreme force, as you could snap the pipe. Spray it with penetrating oil and try again, or shut off water at the street meter and call a plumber.
Do I have individual shutoff valves for sinks?
Yes, most sinks and toilets have isolation valves located on the wall right behind or under the fixture for easy local shutoff.
Do I need a special tool to turn off the water at the street?
Yes, you typically need a "meter key," a long-handled tool with a slotted end, to easily turn the municipal valve.