# How to shut off the water to your house

Updated: 2026-10-24 · https://pros411.com/en/guides/plumbers/how-to-shut-off-water-to-house

## Short answer

Find the main shut-off valve where the water line enters the house. Look on the wall facing the street: basement, garage, utility closet or near the water heater. Turn a round wheel clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe. Open a faucet to check. No valve inside? Use the curb stop in the meter box, or call your water utility.

## How to find and close the main water valve

![Cartoon house in cutaway with the water line coming from the street and a magnifier on the main shut-off valve](https://pros411.com/img/guias/how-to-shut-off-water-to-house.webp)

1. **Need the water off? Find the main valve.** A leak, a burst pipe or a repair: the main shut-off valve stops the water to the whole house. Learn where it is before you need it.
2. **It is where the water line comes in.** Look on the wall facing the street: basement, garage, utility closet, crawl space or near the water heater. In warm states it can be outside on a wall.
3. **Turn it clockwise until it stops.** A round wheel turns clockwise several times. A lever turns a quarter turn, across the pipe. Open a faucet: the water should stop after a few seconds.
4. **No valve inside? The box at the curb.** The meter box near the street has a curb stop. It turns with a meter key, a long T-shaped tool. Some utilities ask you to call them instead.
5. **Turn it back on slowly.** Open the valve a little at a time, then all the way. Let a faucet run until the air stops sputtering out.

## If the valve is stuck

- Do not force it with a wrench or a pipe on the handle: old valves can snap and make things worse.
- Try turning it back and forth a little to loosen it.
- If it will not move, close the curb stop or call your water utility, then have a plumber replace the valve.

## Do this today, before an emergency

- Find the valve and show everyone at home where it is. Hang a tag on it.
- Close it and open it once a year so it does not seize.
- Keep a meter key in the garage if your utility lets homeowners use the curb stop.

## Shut off just one fixture

Toilets, sinks, the washer and the water heater have their own small valves. For a leak at one fixture, close only that valve and the rest of the house keeps its water.

## When to call a plumber

- The main valve is stuck, leaks when you turn it or does not stop the water.
- You cannot find a main valve inside the house.
- Water keeps running with the main valve closed (the leak may be before the valve).
- The curb stop or the meter box is damaged or leaking (call the water utility).

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## Frequently asked questions

### Which way do I turn the main water valve to shut it off?

Clockwise, to the right, for a round wheel. For a lever, turn it a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe; in line with the pipe means open.

### Where is the main water shut-off valve usually located?

Where the water line enters the house, usually on the wall closest to the street. Check the basement, the garage, a utility closet, a crawl space or near the water heater. In warm climates it is often outside.

### Can I turn off the water at the meter myself?

Many utilities allow it with a meter key, but some ask you to call them. Check with your water utility, and never force a curb stop that will not turn.

### How long does it take for the water to stop after I close the main?

A few seconds. A faucet may run briefly as the pressure drops, then stop. If it keeps running, the valve is not closing all the way.

### Should I turn off the water heater when the main is off?

Not for a few minutes. If the water will be off for hours, set a gas heater to "pilot" or "vacation", or switch off the breaker for an electric one.

### Why does the water sputter when I turn it back on?

That is air in the pipes. Open the main slowly, then let each faucet run until the water flows smoothly.