How to Locate Water Supply Cutoff Valves

Turning off your water prevents leaks when working on your plumbing.

Whenever you are working on your plumbing you will need to turn off the water supply going to the house or at least to the fixture on which you are working. For example, if you are replacing your toilet, you will want to shut off the water supply to the toilet tank. However, if you are trying to replace a shower pipe and don't want to tear out the whole wall, you can simply turn off the water supply to the whole house.

Instructions

1. Identify the pipes that are supplying water to the fixture. For a toilet or sink, you will find the pipes beneath and to one side of the fixture.

2. Look for the oval or round valve knob on the portion of the pipes supplying water to your fixture. Turn the knob clockwise to turn off the water and counterclockwise to turn the water back on.

3. Identify the location of the household shutoff valve by finding your water meter. In warm or temperate climates, the water meter is usually located outside the house or in a box in the ground near the street. In cold climates, the water meter is usually located inside the house to prevent freezing.

4. There will usually be two valves by the water meter: one on the house side of the meter and one on the street side. The valves usually look like the spicket valve you use to turn an exterior water supply on and off, like for a hose. Turn the one on the house side of the meter clockwise to turn off the water to the house and counterclockwise to turn it back on.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that there will still be residual water in the pipes when you turn off the water. Be prepared to catch any remaining water in a bucket when you disassemble a plumbed fixture.

References

• The Family Handyman: Water Shutoff Valves