How To Find Your Main Water Shut Off

by Trevor Woods | Last Updated: March 1, 2021

Let’s set the scene. Your sink is leaking, and you won’t be able to have a plumber come look at it right away. The leak is dripping non-stop and you’re worried about water damage and mold.

So, what are you supposed to do? Well, every home is equipped with a main water shut off valve, and it’s very important that you know where that is and how to turn it off. 

Knowing where the main shut off valve is and how to shut it off will save you a lot of stress and trouble. Even when it’s not an emergency, there are other situations where you may want to shut the water off.

For example, if you are going out of town for an extended period, many home insurance policies require you to shut the water off to prevent water damage issues. It’s also good to know for remodelling projects. So, let’s get to learning!

Does Every House Have A Water Shut Off Valve?

The short answer to this question is yes, all homes have a main water shut off valve. All homes are required to have a main shut off valve installed during construction. It’s essential for emergencies and repairs. 

Along with a main water shut off valve in the home, there are also valves located outside at the water main area, usually near the street by the sidewalk if you have one. Typically, there will be one in the house, so you won’t have to go this route. 

Who Is Responsible For The Water Shut Off Valve?

When you need to shut off the main water valve, the responsibility falls on the property owner. If you’re a homeowner, that’s obviously going to be you. Rent? Contact your landlord. They are responsible for making sure the water is shut off. 

If you are renting, however, it’s your responsibility to inform the property owner (i.e. your landlord) about a leak or pipe burst in your rental unit. Check your lease agreement to see what requirements are on both ends to ensure you’re on the same page. 

Property owners are responsible for the remainder of the water system to their residence and inside the building. The best defense against a water emergency is knowing where the main water shut off valve is located inside your structure and making sure that it is fully functional.

How To Quickly Locate Your Main Shut Off Valve

Alright, it’s time to find that main shut off valve, quickly! Let’s get to it! Depending on the style of your home, there are a few places the main valve could be.

• Homeowners with basements, check there first! Typically, a main shut off valve will be in the basement on the wall facing your street. The valve will usually be within 5 feet of where the water main is. 
• If you don’t have a basement, but you have a crawl space, your main water valve might be located somewhere else. In this type of home, your main water valve is most likely located near your water heater or under a sink. 
• No basement? No crawl space? No problem! It’s still probably near your water heater or under the kitchen sink. If it’s not there, check under other sinks or in a utility room where you keep a washer and dryer if possible. Another common place for the water valve in a slab-built house is in the garage. 
• If you’ve looked everywhere and still cannot find the valve, check a home inspection report. There will be a spot on the documentation stating exactly where it is. Once you’ve located the valve, it’s time to shut it off and solve your plumbing problem. 

How To Shut Off The Main Water Valve

Once you’ve found the valve, it’s time to shut that baby off! Depending on your home, there are a few different valve styles that you may have. 

Gate and Globe Valves

The gate valve handle is going to look like that of a garden hose valve. All you must do is turn the wheel-style handle clockwise until it won’t turn anymore to shut the water off.

Are You Feeling Strong?

Be careful, if this valve hasn’t been touched in years it may be corroded and won’t be easy to close.

Ball Valve

Instead of a round-style handle, a ball valve handle runs parallel to the pipe when it’s open. All you have to do is a quarter turn so the handle is at a right angle for it to be closed. If your home has plastic or copper pipes, you more than likely have this type of main water valve. 

How Often Should You Exercise A Valve?

You’re not the only one who could benefit from a little exercise every now and then. While your main water valve may not appreciate a weekly Zumba class it will benefit if it gets to flex its muscles once in a while.

Experts recommend that you “exercise” your main water shut off valve at least once a year. This will increase the valve’s fitness level and maintain its useful operating lifespan.

When To Call The Pros

Don’t recognize the water shut off you are looking at? When in doubt, you can check out our complete water shut off guide HERE.

If it doesn’t look like any of these options, contact a plumber to help you locate and identify your main shut off valve. 

What if you find your shut off valve but can’t turn it by hand? Don’t risk breaking the valve with brute force if you don’t know what you are doing. If you think the shut off valve is seized, call a professional for assistance.

Get Free Help!

Some cities and municipalities will help you locate and test your main shut off valve for free. Many utility companies will provide this complimentary service if the main valve is located near a water meter.

Hide And Seek Inside Your Home

Finding your main water shut off valve can be worse than staring at a Where’s Waldo poster. But you can locate that elusive piece of plumbing!

Knowing where your water shut off valve is hiding is valuable information for if you are simply going away on vacation or need to turn off the water in an emergency plumbing situation.

Look out shut off valve! Ready or not, here you come!

Happy Plumbing!

Trevor Woods is the founder of Plumb University® and he started in the plumbing and construction industry in 1997. Since then, his mission is to make plumbing repair and maintenance easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with their plumbing installation, care, and troubleshooting.