Your main water shut off is usually either inside where the water line enters your home, or outside near your meter at the edge of your property. Knowing both likely spots now can save you thousands in damage during an emergency.

What “water shut off” means

  • The main water shut off valve controls all water coming into your home.
  • Closing it stops water to every fixture (sinks, toilets, showers, hose bibs), which is what you want in a burst-pipe or major leak situation.

Most common places to look inside

In many homes, especially in colder climates, the main valve is indoors to protect pipes from freezing.

Typical indoor locations:

  • Basement or crawlspace, on the wall facing the street, where the water pipe first enters the house.
  • Utility room near the water heater, furnace, or pressure regulator.
  • First-floor closet or access panel near the front of the house if you have a slab foundation.
  • Sometimes under the kitchen sink or in a laundry room if that’s where the main line comes in.

What to look for:

  • A metal or plastic pipe coming up through the floor or wall with a valve on it.
  • Valve style is usually:
    • Round “wheel” (gate valve) you turn clockwise to close.
* Lever handle (ball valve) that you turn so it’s **across** the pipe to shut off.

Most common places to look outside

If your water comes from the city and you’re in a warmer climate, the main shut off is often outside.

Check:

  • Near the street or sidewalk: look for a metal or plastic lid in the ground marked “Water” or “Water Meter”.
  • Along the front property line or in an alley if that’s where utilities run.
  • Near an exterior wall where the main pipe enters the house, sometimes in a small box or behind a removable panel.

How to use the outside valve:

  • Open the meter box lid carefully (screwdriver or similar tool if needed; some boxes are bolted).
  • Inside, find the valve closest to the house.
  • Turn the handle:
    • Round handle: clockwise until it stops (do not force past resistance).
* Lever: turn it so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.

Note: Some cities treat the valve on the street side of the meter as theirs; if you are unsure which valve you’re allowed to touch, call your water utility for guidance.

Quick emergency steps if a pipe bursts

If you have active leaking right now:

  1. Kill the water fast
    • Use the indoor main valve if you know where it is.
 * If not, go to the meter box near the street and shut off the valve there.
  1. Kill power if water is near electricity
    • If water is near outlets, breaker panel, or appliances, shut off power at the main breaker if it is safe to reach. (If unsafe, leave and call emergency services.)
  2. Open a faucet on the lowest level
    • This relieves pressure and helps drain remaining water from the lines.
  1. Call a licensed plumber
    • Hidden damage, soaked drywall, or ceiling bulges all need professional attention.
  2. Document for insurance
    • Photos and video of damage and any temporary fixes can help with a claim.

Helpful “forum style” perspective

“Don’t wait until the night a pipe bursts to find your shut off. Walk around your house once, lift the meter lid, and practice turning the valve. That 60‑second drill can save you thousands.”

Common tips people share in homeowner forums:

  • Walk the property when you move in and label the main valve with tape or a tag.
  • Teach every adult (and responsible teen) in the home how to turn water off.
  • Keep a dedicated wrench or meter key hung near the door you’d use to go shut it off.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.