Where to look
- On the street-facing foundation wall where the service pipe comes in
- Near the water meter
- Behind a small hatch in finished basement drywall
- Utility or furnace room
- In condos, in a closet or under the kitchen sink
Valve types
Wheel-handled gate valves take turn after turn to close; a ball valve uses a lever that turns a quarter. Ball valves are more reliable.
Testing
- Turn the valve off.
- Open a tap to confirm water stops.
- Turn the valve back on.
- Check for drips at the stem.
If the valve is stiff, do not force it. Call to replace it.
Help
See main shut-off replacement.
Label it and tell everyone
Once you find the valve, label it clearly with a tag. Walk every household member to it, including older children and anyone house-sitting. In an emergency, seconds count, and searching for the valve while water pours through the ceiling wastes precious time.
If you cannot find it
Follow the water line back from the meter. In some finished basements it is boxed in behind drywall with only a small access panel. If it is completely covered, it is worth opening access so it can be reached quickly. In rare cases, older homes have the valve in a crawlspace or under stairs.
Fixture shut-offs
Sinks and toilets have their own stop valves. Using these for a local leak lets the rest of the house keep water. Test them occasionally too; if they seize, they can be replaced.
When to put the tools down
Some of this is homeowner work and some is not. Stop and phone us if you see any of these:
- Water meter dial moves with every tap off
- Pressure drops when two fixtures run
- Green crust on copper joints
- Banging when a valve closes quickly
- Anything involving the gas line, the venting or cutting into a wall