A burst water pipe can result in hundreds of dollars’ worth of water wasted. It can also result in thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home and a soggy mess. It’s important to stop this waste and avoid serious damage to your property. You can do this by turning off your water supply and as fast as possible. 

How to turn off your main water supply 

1. Locate the main water shutoff valve 

There are various places where the main shutoff valve may be located. This largely depends on the age of your home as well as the climate of the area. Start by checking inside the house. Check the utility areas such as the basement, laundry room or garage. Pay special attention to those areas facing the street as the main supply run from the city’s main supply which is located in the street. These valves are often located indoors in areas that experience freezing temperatures. Check along the exterior wall if you live in an area with warmer climate. 

The water shut-off valve may be located next to the water meter which is outside your home. This is done to make it easier for the city to turn off the water in case of an emergency. You may not be permitted to use the valve. Be sure to contact your utility company to check. 

2. Turn the valve off 

Turn the main shutoff valve off. If it is a gate valve, turn it clockwise until you can no longer turn it. If it is a ball valve, turn the lever 90 degrees clockwise. Run the taps to drain water from the pipes and ensure that there is no longer any water running into your home. Do this for both hot and cold water taps. 

Turning off water for specific fixtures 

If the leak or problem affects a specific part or fixture in your home, you may be able to isolate that area and turn off the water supply to that part of your home. Many household appliances are installed with individual isolation valves. You will only need to locate these and turn them off. 

Many sink faucets have a shutoff valve located below the sink. Turn the valve off for both the hot and cold water supply. Toilets have a shutoff valve located near the bottom of the toilet tank. Showers and tubs often have a shut-off valve on the other side of the wall of the shower or tub. If you can’t locate it, you can check behind the access panel under the floor. 

Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines will have a shutoff valve located at the inlet to the unit. If you can’t locate the shutoff valve to your appliance, simply turn off your mains supply before you work on your appliance. 

Once the repairs are completed, you can turn the water supply back on. Simply turn the valve counterclockwise to restore the water supply to your home or appliance. You can locate and label the shut-off valve beforehand to ensure you get it right when it’s time to turn your water on or off.