Find and label your main water shutoff
20 minutes · Easy · Estimated materials $0–$10
Know how to stop incoming water before a small leak becomes major damage.
Likely cause
Every home has a main shutoff, but location and valve style vary by region and construction.
First safe check
Look where the water service enters the home: basement front wall, crawlspace, garage, utility room or exterior meter box.
Tools and materials
Tools
- Flashlight
- Phone camera
Materials
- Durable label or tag
Step by step
- 1Trace the cold-water line from the meter or entry point.
- 2Identify the whole-home valve, not an appliance valve.
- 3Photograph its location and approach path.
- 4If it moves smoothly, close it gently and confirm a cold faucet stops.
- 5Reopen slowly, check for leaks, label it, and record the location in My Home.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the water-heater valve with the main
- Forcing an old gate valve
- Failing to tell household members
When to call a professional
Plumbing
Most of this is yours to do. Call someone licensed if any one of these is true — it's a judgement call, not a defeat.
- You cannot find or fully close a shut-off valve.
- Water appears in a ceiling, wall, or at the base of a fixture.
- More than one drain in the house is slow at the same time.
- The repair would mean soldering or opening a main line.
General guidance only. Codes and conditions vary. When in doubt, stop and use a licensed professional.