How to Turn Off a Home's Main Water Valve

Turn off your home's main water valve to avoid flooding.

When you own a home, it is important for you to know where your main water valve is located. It is also important to know how to turn the water valve off to prevent major damage to your home in the event that one of your water pipes bursts. Turning off the main valve interrupts all of the water flow into your home. Failure to turn off this valve when a pipe bursts can cause your home to flood within a matter of minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench

Instructions

1. Look on the outside of your home to locate the water meter. Generally, it will be located near the street or near the curbside. The water meter is embedded into the ground and covered by a metal plate that has a small slit in the top of it. If you live in a cold climate location, your meter will likely be located in your basement, under the kitchen sink, in a closet or in another area of your home.

2. Lift the metal plate off of the water meter. You will see the meter dial which has numbers on it. You will also see a small valve handle for the meter.

3. Turn the valve handle all the way to the right until it cannot be turned any further. Depending upon the type of valve handle your water meter has, you may have to use a wrench to turn the handle.

4. Replace the metal plate that was removed in Step 2.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unable to locate your water valve, contact your local water company. The company can advise you of where your valve is located.

References

• Don Vanderport's Home Tips: How To Shut Off The Water To Fixtures & Your House
• The Family Handyman: How To Locate Your Gas Shutoff Valve & Water Shutoff Valve