When a pipe breaks, every minute adds water to the floor. The person who can find the shutoff in thirty seconds prevents far more damage than the person who has to search. Most homeowners have never touched their main valve, so this guide covers where to look, how to test it and what to leave to the utility.
Where the main shutoff usually is
The main shutoff sits where the water service line enters the house, usually close to the water meter. In houses with basements, it is often on a wall near the front, in a utility area or beside the water heater. In houses without basements, check a utility closet, a garage wall or a crawl space access.
- Follow the cold water pipe from the water heater back toward the front of the house.
- Look near the water meter, where the pipe passes through the foundation wall.
- Check closets and utility rooms near the street side of the house.
- Check outdoors for a small ground-level box that holds a meter or valve.
Write the location on a card and keep it near the panel. Tell every adult in the house.
What kind of valve you have
| Valve type | How it looks | How to close it |
|---|---|---|
| Gate valve | Round wheel handle | Turn clockwise until it stops, which may take several turns |
| Ball valve | Lever handle | Turn the lever a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe |
| Curb stop (utility) | Underground, with a long key | Leave to the water utility |
Older gate valves can stick or break if forced. If yours will not turn, do not use a wrench with extra force. Call a plumber and keep the water utility number handy.
Test it before you need it
- Close the valve slowly until it stops.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines and confirm the water stops.
- Open the valve again and run water at a faucet to bleed air.
- Note which direction closes it, and write that on the card.
If you find a leaking or stuck valve during the test, call a plumber to replace it before an emergency.
Fixture shutoffs and when to use them
Under every sink and behind every toilet and appliance is a small shutoff. For a leak at one fixture, closing the local valve stops the water without cutting the whole house. If you cannot find the cause, close the main. Once the water is off, a plumber repairs the pipe, and water extraction and drying begin if water reached the floor or walls.
After the water is off
Open a low faucet to drain the lines, avoid switches in wet areas and photograph the damage. A leak inside a wall is covered on the burst pipe page, and hidden leaks that show up as high bills are covered in other guides. Call dispatch if water has reached drywall, flooring or contents.
Waukegan water notes from primary sources
The City of Waukegan water system draws from Lake Michigan and is owned by the city, according to the engineering firm that upgraded its facilities. The city website offers online water bill service, which is a starting point for questions about your meter.
The curb stop at the street belongs to the water utility. Ask the city water department rather than opening it yourself.
In Lake Villa, village public works operates the water system and takes service requests. Wadsworth residents should start with the village hall.
Teaching everyone in the house
A shutoff is only useful if someone can find it in a hurry. Walk every adult and older child to the valve once, and show them which way it turns. Put a bright tag on it so it stands out in a dark basement.
Keep the area around the valve clear. Boxes stacked in front of the main have cost people precious minutes. Store a pair of gloves and a flashlight nearby, and write the dispatch number on the wall beside the valve.
If you rent, ask the landlord where the main is before you need it. After the water is off, open a low faucet to drain the line, and call. The burst pipe page explains the next steps, and the water extraction page explains how standing water gets removed. Residents of Wadsworth on private wells should also learn where the pump breaker is.
If the valve will not turn, do not force it with a pipe wrench. A cracked valve can make things worse. Close the nearest fixture shutoff, call dispatch and describe the problem. In some homes the street shutoff belongs to the water utility, so ask them what applies at your address before touching it.
Mark the date you tested your valve on the tag. A valve that has not moved in years can seize, and testing it once a year keeps it working.
Frequently asked questions
Which way do I turn the main water valve?
A round gate valve closes clockwise. A lever ball valve closes with a quarter turn so the handle sits across the pipe.
What if my main valve is stuck?
Do not force it. Call a plumber to replace it, and ask the water utility whether it can shut off at the curb in an emergency.
Can I shut off the water at the street myself?
No. The curb stop belongs to the utility, and tampering with it can damage it. Call the water department.
Should I drain the pipes after shutting off the water?
Opening a low faucet drains the lines and reduces further leaking. It can also help in freezing weather.
How often should I test the valve?
Once a year is common advice. A yearly check also reminds everyone in the house where it is.
Stopping the water is step one. Call so the drying can begin.