WHERE'S YOUR MAIN WATER SHUT-OFF, AND HOW DO YOU TURN IT OFF?
If a pipe bursts or there's suddenly a major leak, your main water shutoff is the quickest way to limit the damage to your property. For a home in North Texas, the shutoff valve might be hidden inside near where the service line comes in, or outside near the water meter.
Here's where to look and how to shut off your water safely in a plumbing emergency.
WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW
If water is leaking inside your home:
Find that main shutoff valve by checking the likely places below. The valve should be fitted to the main water line, which is the big pipe that supplies the water to your house.
Turn the valve off gently. A ball valve usually needs a quarter turn to close it, while a gate valve usually closes by turning its wheel clockwise.
Try opening a faucet to check the water flow and see if the supply has stopped. Sometimes, there's still water left in the pipes, so it might not stop right away.
If there's water near outlets, appliances, lights, or the breaker panel, make sure you don't step into it or touch any electrical equipment. Keep clear while you phone for help.
Call a plumber if the valve is stuck, damaged, leaking, or doesn't stop the water.
If you have a fire sprinkler system, be extra careful. Depending on how it's set up, the main water valve might also cut off the sprinkler supply. That's why you shouldn't just assume the first valve you find controls only the household plumbing.
WHERE IS THE MAIN WATER SHUT OFF VALVE USUALLY LOCATED?
The main shutoff valve is usually pretty close to where the water supply enters the house. Where it ends up depends on the home's layout and the foundation, as well as the plumbing setup.
Here's where to look:
Your garage, where the water line comes in through the wall or ceiling. It might be near the water heater or laundry connections.
A utility room or mechanical room, where the incoming water pipe and water heater meet.
A crawl space, especially if you've got an older home or a home with a raised foundation.
Under the kitchen sink or another easily accessible sink.
Near the front foundation wall, where the pipe is entering the house through or beside the a
In some warm-climate homes, the customer shutoff valve is in an underground meter box near the street or property line, so it's also worth checking outside near the meter.
The City of McKinney's emergency water shut-off guidance says to check your property's crawl space, garage, and outside near the foundation. Your own water provider might even have a diagram showing where the meter and customer shutoff are.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THE MAIN WATER SHUTOFF VALVE?
To identify the main water shutoff valve in your home, look for a valve that's fitted to the main water pipe, not the smaller shutoffs that serve individual faucets or appliances.
There are two types:
Ball valve: This has a lever handle. When the handle is parallel to the pipe, the valve is open. To close it, turn the lever a quarter turn so it sits at a right angle to the pipe.
Gate valve: This usually has a round wheel handle. To close the valve, turn the wheel clockwise, but go slowly, and stop when it reaches its natural stopping point. Don't keep turning.
Some homes have more than one valve along the water line. The main valve controls the water supply to the home, while smaller valves let you isolate individual fixtures. If you're not sure which one it is, ask a licensed plumber to take a look so you can act fast during a plumbing emergency. You can contact our team at Military Plumbing here.
HOW DO YOU TURN OFF THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY?
Once you've identified the correct valve, turning it off should only take a minute or so if it's accessible and working properly. Follow these steps:
Double-check you've got the right valve. Make sure it's the one on the main water line and not a valve for an appliance or fixture.
For a ball valve, slowly turn the lever a quarter turn until it's at a right angle to the pipe.
For a gate valve, slowly turn the wheel clockwise until it stops.
Open a faucet to check if water still keeps pouring in. It might take a short while for the remaining water in the pipe to drain.
If needed, open other faucets at different heights to help drain your home's plumbing system and bleed the air from the pipes.
Never try to force a rusty, corroded, or stuck valve. Applying extra pressure can break the handle or damage the valve, which will turn a manageable problem into a plumbing nightmare. If it won't move with gentle pressure, stop and call a plumber.
CAN YOU TURN OFF THE WATER AT THE METER OUTSIDE?
The meter outside is usually only for emergency situations, like a burst pipe outdoors. If you do need to do turn it off, your water provider might have a diagram showing how to do it, so check with them first.
Many North Texas homes have a customer shut-off valve just inside the meter box near the street, usually on the homeowner's side of the water meter, and right near the property line. The box will probably be labelled "Water Meter" and may be topped with a round or rectangular lid.
If you can't find the customer shutoff valve, give your water provider a call or hire a plumber to help track it down, and maybe even install a new one if it's not there.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF THE MAIN SHUTOFF VALVE WON'T WORK?
If you've got a leak and you can't shut off the water supply, get your water provider on the phone and ask them about their emergency procedures. You should also contact an emergency plumber to come and locate the right valve, fix a faulty shutoff, or install a new one where it's needed.
It's worth checking the valve every now and then, just to make sure you can reach it, that everyone else in the house knows where it is and how to use it, and that it doesn't need a lot of force to turn it off.
Military Plumbing can help if you can't locate the main valve, the handle won't turn, or the shutoff is leaking. We use upfront flat-rate pricing, so you know the price before we get started with any work.
Call 972-635-7676 or Request Service if you need help with your home's water shutoff.
FAQ
Q: Does every house have a main water shutoff valve?
Yes, all homes in Texas should have a way to shut off the incoming water supply, but the valve's location and condition will vary. If you can't find an accessible customer shutoff, ask a plumber to inspect the plumbing.
Q: Is the main water shutoff inside or outside?
The main water shutoff valve can be either inside or outside your home. We recommend checking near the point where the water line enters your home's exterior wall, in the garage, utility room, or crawl space. Some North Texas properties also have a customer shutoff valve in an outdoor meter box.
Q: Which way do you turn a water shutoff valve?
If you have a gate valve, this will normally close by turning its wheel clockwise. A ball valve closes with a quarter turn, moving its lever handle until it's perpendicular to the pipe.
Q: Should I turn off the water heater when I shut off the main water?
If you're shutting off the water for an extended period or carrying out plumbing work, follow the water heater manufacturer's instructions. Don't assume that turning off the main water supply will also switch off the heater's power or fuel, as it might not.
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