where is water shut off valve
The main water shut‑off valve is usually where the water line enters your home, and its exact spot depends on your house type and climate.
Quick‑scoop locations
- Basement homes: Look near the front foundation wall where the main pipe comes in; often by the water heater or laundry area.
- Crawl‑space homes: Check under the house where the main line enters; sometimes there’s also a valve in the garage or mechanical room.
- Slab‑on‑grade (no basement): Common spots are near the water heater, in a utility/laundry room, or under the kitchen sink.
- Exterior valves: In some areas, the main shutoff is outside near the street, often in a concrete or metal box by the water meter.
Room‑by‑room shutoffs
- Kitchen: Small valves under the sink, usually behind the faucet.
- Bathroom: Shut‑offs under the sink and a separate valve behind or near the toilet tank.
- Washing machine: Often on the wall behind the machine or in the nearby utility area.
How to find yours fast
- Start in the basement, crawlspace, or utility room where pipes first enter the house.
- If you don’t see a large valve there, check near the water heater, under the kitchen sink, or outside by the meter.
- Once you find it, label it clearly so you can shut off water quickly in a leak or flood.
If you tell me your home type (basement, slab, mobile/manufactured, etc.), I can give a more precise “go‑here‑first” path for your setup.