How to Shut Off Water to a Bathroom Fixture

Shutting off water to bathroom fixtures can be a little confusing since each one has a different source. Anytime you conduct repair or improvements on any bathroom fixture, you should first turn off the water. Also if your toilet overflows or your bathtub begins leaking into the room below, you will need to know how to quickly shut off the water at the source.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Bathroom sink

1. Make sure that the faucet handles are in the off position.

2. Look underneath the sink for a pair of chrome knobs. One is for the cold water and the other is for the hot water.

3. Twist the knobs manually counterclockwise (to the left) until they go no further. The water should now be shut off. If it is not, then you have bigger problems. In this case, you will have to close the main water shutoff valve to your house (see Section 3) until you can diagnose the problem.

Toilet

4. Look behind the toilet, near the floor.

5. Find a single knob connected to a hose coming from the toilet.

6. Twist the knob counterclockwise (to the left) to shut off water to the toilet. If the water does not stop, then you will have to close the main water shutoff valve to your house (see Section 3) until you find out what the problem is.

Shower Bathtub

7. Turn the water faucet(s) to the off position.

8. Look behind or next the tub or shower for a pair of cut off valves like the ones to the sink. Most modern bathtubs and shower do not have them, but some older ones do. If you do not see a pair of handles go to Step 3.

9. Close the main water shutoff valve to your house. This is usually located in the basement or crawlspace. Turn it to the left to shut off the water to your house. If you cannot find the shutoff valve, there should be another one located at your water meter (usually in the front yard near the street). However you will probably need a wrench to turn it off.