How to shut off your water in a leak emergency
Most leaks can be stopped at the closest valve: a small stop under the sink, toilet or appliance, or the main shutoff where the water line enters the building. Wheel handles turn clockwise; lever handles turn a quarter turn across the pipe. If a valve will not close, the utility can usually shut service at the curb. Call 833-877-1717 if you need an independent plumber.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
Start with the closest valve
Close the valve nearest the leak first. It stops the water while leaving the rest of the house running.
- Sinks: two small oval or round handles under the basin, one hot and one cold. Turn clockwise.
- Toilets: one valve on the wall or floor behind the toilet, low on the left.
- Washing machine: two valves above or behind the washer, often in a recessed wall box. Some have a single lever that closes both.
- Refrigerator and ice maker: a small valve under the kitchen sink, behind the fridge, or in the basement directly below.
- Water heater: the cold-water inlet valve on the pipe at the top of the tank.
- Outdoor spigots: frost-free spigots often have an interior shutoff in the basement or crawl space.
If the leak is a pipe in a wall, ceiling or floor, or you do not know where it is coming from, go straight to the main.
Find the main shutoff valve
Follow the incoming water line, usually ¾ inch or 1 inch, from where it enters the building:
- Basement homes: on the front foundation wall facing the street, often near the water meter.
- Crawl-space homes: just inside the crawl-space access, or near the water heater.
- Slab homes: in a garage, utility closet or water heater closet, or on an exterior wall near a hose bib.
- Warm-climate homes: often outdoors, in a box near the street or at the house wall where the line rises out of the ground.
- Condos and apartments: sometimes in your unit (under a kitchen sink, behind an access panel, or in the water heater closet), sometimes in a shared mechanical room. Know who has access to the shared one.
Your home inspection report often shows where the main shutoff is.
How to close each type of valve
- Gate valve (round wheel handle): turn clockwise until it stops, which can take several turns. Old gate valves often do not seal completely, so expect a trickle.
- Ball valve (straight lever): a quarter turn. When the lever is across the pipe, it is closed. When it runs along the pipe, it is open.
- Curb stop or meter valve: in the meter box at the property line. It needs a meter key or curb key, which hardware stores sell. Some utilities do not allow customers to operate it, so call the utility first if you can.
- Smart or automatic shutoff: many have a manual override on the valve body as well as an app.
After closing the valve, open a faucet below the leak to confirm the water has stopped and to drain the pressure.
If the valve is stuck, broken or leaking
- Do not use a long cheater bar or hammer on an old valve. A snapped stem can turn a leak into a full-flow break.
- Try gentle back-and-forth movement on a gate valve. Grip the handle near the hub, not the rim.
- If the valve itself starts dripping from the stem, a quarter turn of the packing nut just under the handle often stops it.
- If nothing works, call your water utility; many will shut water at the curb for an emergency. A plumber can also close the curb stop and replace the failed valve.
After the water is off
- Turn off power to any area where water reached outlets, fixtures or appliances, if you can reach the panel from a dry floor.
- If the main will be off for a while, set a gas water heater to pilot or vacation, or switch off the breaker for an electric one.
- Photograph the leak and the damage before cleanup.
- Remove standing water and start drying. Wet drywall, insulation and flooring can need professional drying.
- Leave the valve closed until the repair is made. Reopen it slowly afterward to avoid a pressure surge.
Prepare before the next leak
- Label the main shutoff with a bright tag and make sure everyone in the household can reach it.
- Exercise valves once or twice a year: close and reopen them so they do not seize.
- Keep a meter key where you can find it if your main is outdoors.
- Consider replacing an old gate valve with a quarter-turn ball valve, and rubber washer hoses with braided stainless ones.
- Leak sensors and automatic shutoff valves can stop water before anyone notices, which helps if the home is often empty.
How RepairNowUSA can help
Call 833-877-1717 and describe what is happening and the property ZIP code. RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent provider for that kind of work in your area and connects you if one is available. The provider confirms timing, scope and price with you and does the work. Availability and response times vary and are not guaranteed.
Call 833-877-1717Common questions
Which way do I turn a water shutoff valve?
Clockwise ("righty-tighty") closes a wheel-handle gate valve. A lever-handle ball valve closes with a quarter turn, so the lever ends up across the pipe.
What if I cannot find my main water shutoff?
Follow the incoming water line from the meter or from where it enters the foundation. Check the garage, utility closet and water heater area, and outside near the meter. If you still cannot find it, call the water utility to shut off service at the curb.
Is it OK to turn off the curb valve myself?
Rules vary. Some utilities allow it and some do not, and older curb stops can break. Call the utility first if you can. In a serious emergency, closing it to stop flooding is generally reasonable.
Why does water keep trickling after I closed the valve?
Old gate valves often do not seal fully, and pipes above the leak still hold water. Open a faucet below the leak to drain the lines. If the flow does not taper off, the valve may need replacing.
Can I call RepairNowUSA after hours?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.