A burst pipe or major leak can flood your home in minutes. The faster you shut off your main water supply, the more damage you prevent.

But in an emergency, many homeowners don’t know where the water shut-off valve is — or how to turn it off quickly.

This guide shows you:

• How to locate your water main valve (indoors + outdoors)
• How to shut it off safely
• What tools you may need
• What to do after shutting the water off

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Step 1 — Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

Most US homes have one of two valve locations:

Indoor Valve Locations

• Basement (most common in colder regions)
• Utility room
• Near the water heater
• Garage wall

Look for pipes coming through the floor or wall from outside.

Outdoor Valve Locations

For homes without basements:

• In a ground box near the street or curb
• Under a metal or plastic lid
• Sometimes near the property’s front wall

If you have a water meter box, the valve is usually right beside it.

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Step 2 — Identify Your Valve Type

You’ll see one of these two:

Valve Type	How It Works
🔹 Ball Valve (lever handle)	Quarter-turn (horizontal = OFF)
🔹 Gate Valve (round wheel)	Turn clockwise until tight

Remember: Right = Tight (OFF)
Left = Loose (ON)

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Step 3 — Shut Off the Water

For Ball Valves

Turn the handle ¼ turn until it is horizontal to the pipe.

For Gate Valves

Turn the wheel clockwise several full turns until it stops.

Water flow should stop within seconds — listen for pipes quieting down.

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Helpful Tools (If Valve Is Hard to Turn)

You may need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Water meter key (for outdoor boxes)
• WD-40 for stuck valves (use only a small amount)

Never force a stuck valve aggressively — it may break and worsen the emergency.

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Step 4 — What to Do Right After

✔ Open a faucet to release pressure in pipes
✔ Shut off electricity if water reaches outlets
✔ Clean up standing water quickly
✔ Take pictures for insurance claims
✔ Call a plumber for repairs or inspection

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Not Sure Which Valve It Is?

Here’s a simple tip:

If shutting one valve doesn’t stop all water, you found the wrong one.

Try the other options until water stops completely.

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Prevent Emergencies in the Future

• Label the valve “MAIN SHUT-OFF” clearly
• Teach all family members how to use it
• Test the valve every 6 months to prevent seizing

A 10-second action can prevent thousands of dollars in flood damage.

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