Where is the water shut-off valve, and how do you turn off the water?

Find it now and you'll be calm on the bad day.

The answer in 2 lines. In a house, the main shut-off valve is usually where the water line enters the building: in the basement, crawl space, garage or utility room, often near the water meter or water heater. In warm climates it may be outside, near the foundation. In an apartment, look under sinks and behind toilets for fixture valves; the main valve may be in a utility closet or controlled by the building. To close it, turn a round handle clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever a quarter turn so it crosses the pipe.

The first 3 steps

If only one fixture leaks (toilet, sink, washer), close its own small valve first: it's often enough.
Otherwise, close the main shut-off valve for your home by hand, without forcing it.
Valve missing or stuck? In an apartment, call your super or building manager. In a house, call your water utility: they can shut off at the street.

Stop: danger

Water near an outlet, lamp or the breaker panel: don't touch anything wet. Turn off power at the panel only if it's dry and you can reach it without stepping in water.
Gas smell: leave without touching switches and call 911 or your gas company from outside.

Where to look

House with a basement: on the front wall facing the street, where the pipe comes through the foundation, often next to the meter.
House on a slab or crawl space: garage, utility room, near the water heater, or under the kitchen sink. In warm climates, outside near the foundation or a hose faucet.
Apartment or condo: fixture valves under each sink and behind the toilet; a valve for the unit may be in a closet, behind an access panel, or in a shared space only staff can reach.

Leave the street valve alone: the valve in the meter box or at the curb usually belongs to the water utility and may need a special key. Call them instead.

How to close it, step by step

Round handle (gate or globe valve): turn clockwise ("righty-tighty") until it stops. Don't force the last bit.
Lever handle (ball valve): a quarter turn. Handle along the pipe = open; across the pipe = closed.
Check: open a faucet. A trickle that stops after a few seconds is normal; water left in the pipes is draining.
To reopen: turn slowly, with a faucet open, to let air out gently.

What not to do

Using pliers, a wrench or a hammer on a stuck valve: old valves can snap.
Opening the utility's meter box or curb valve yourself.
Leaving the valve untouched for years: valves that never move seize up.

In your city

New York City: if you can't stop water coming in, or for a problem at the street, call 311 (NYC311 water service).
Chicago: water coming up in the street or at the curb can be reported to CHI 311 (Water on Street).
Philadelphia: the Philadelphia Water Department handles water emergencies around the clock (water emergencies).
Los Angeles: report water trouble to LADWP (LADWP).

Who owns which part of the pipe (and pays to fix it) depends on your city and your lease.

Good to know

Put a tag on the valve so everyone at home can find it.
Open and close it once or twice a year so it doesn't seize.
Leaving for a long trip? Many people close the main valve before they go.
In cold areas, protect pipes and valves in unheated spaces from freezing.

The week she moves into a house in Phoenix, Dana looks for the main valve. It isn't inside: it's outside by the front wall, under a small cover near a hose faucet. She closes it, checks a faucet, reopens it, and tapes a photo of it inside the garage.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on October 18, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for valve types and how to close them; medium for where the valve is in your home, which varies a lot, and city contacts. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis.