Finding Your Main Water Shut-Off
Short answer: most homes have the main valve in the basement where the water line comes through the front foundation wall, near the meter. Find it and test it before an emergency.
Request a plumberIn the basement
Look on the street side of the basement near the meter.
Close it
Turn clockwise until it stops.
Old gate valves
Round handles may take many turns and can stick.
Test it
Close and reopen it once a year.
Curb stop
There's also a valve near the street that the water company uses.
Fixture valves
Toilets and sinks have their own.
Water heater
The cold valve on top stops water into the tank.
Label it
Tag it for the household.
Stuck valves
Don't force it; a plumber can replace it.
Teach the family
Show everyone old enough.
Rowhouse basements
In rowhouses the meter and valve are usually against the front wall, sometimes behind storage or a finished wall panel. Make sure you can reach them.
Next
See emergency plumbing.
More plumbing guides
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