Burst Pipe Repair
Stop the water, then repair the cracked or split pipe behind it.
Plumbing guide
How to Turn Off the Main Water Valve in Your House
When a pipe bursts, the time it takes to find the main valve decides how much damage you get. Find it now, test it and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.
By the Urban Comfort Plumbing team ·
Where the main valve usually is
The house shutoff is generally where the water line enters the building. In many Florida homes on slabs, that is on an outside wall near the front, in a garage near the water heater, or in a small utility closet. Look near the pressure regulator, a bell-shaped device on the pipe, and near the hose spigot on the front of the house, since the line often enters close to it.
There is also a valve at the meter, in a ground-level box near the street or the property edge. That one is on the utility's side, and many utilities ask homeowners not to operate it. Use the house valve first. If you cannot find one, or it does not work, call the utility to shut off the water at the meter.
Identify the type of valve
A ball valve has a lever handle. Turn it a quarter turn so that the lever sits at a right angle to the pipe, and the water is off. A gate valve has a round wheel handle. Turn it clockwise, several turns, until it stops. Never force a gate valve past the stop.
Both are common in houses. Newer homes usually have ball valves, and older ones often have gate valves, which can fail inside even though they appear to work. Test the valve by turning it off, opening a faucet and seeing whether the water stops.
Test it before you need it
Once a year, close the main valve fully and open it again. This keeps the valve from seizing and shows you whether it works. Do it on a calm day, and then check the water heater, since flow changes can disturb sediment.
If the valve will not turn, do not force it. A seized valve may break. A plumber can replace it, and doing it before an emergency is much cheaper than during one. If the valve leaks at the stem or does not seal fully when closed, replace it.
What to do when a pipe bursts
Turn off the main valve. Then open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain the lines and reduce what is still flowing out. Turn off the water heater, since an empty tank can burn out its elements. If water is near outlets, switch off the power to the area from a dry spot, or have the utility do it.
Photograph the damage for your insurer and call for help. Burst pipe repair covers what the plumber does next, and water damage restoration covers drying the structure.
If you cannot find or turn the valve
Check the meter box. The utility valve is there, and the utility can shut it off for you. In an apartment or condo, ask the property manager where the unit shutoff is. Under every sink and toilet there is also a small fixture shutoff, which isolates a single fixture.
If you are renting, find the valve when you move in and tell the landlord if it does not work. Label the valve with a tag so a guest or a repair person can find it quickly.
Replacing a failed main valve
A main valve that will not close, leaks at the stem or has a handle that spins freely needs replacing. A plumber closes the water at the meter, cuts out the old valve and installs a new full-port ball valve, which is easy to turn and rarely seizes. The job is short and cheap compared with a flood.
Ask for the replacement to include a second shutoff valve for the irrigation or for the water heater if they do not have one. More valves in the right places mean you shut off less of the house during a repair.
Apartments, condos and shared buildings
In a condo or apartment, the unit shutoff is often in a utility closet, behind the water heater or under the kitchen sink. A building may also have a riser valve that the property manager controls. Know both, and know who to call if a leak affects neighbors. Report a leak right away, since water travels fast between units and the damage multiplies.
A practice run
Pick a quiet day and rehearse. Turn the valve off, open a faucet to confirm the flow stops, and turn it on again. Time how long it takes from the kitchen to the valve. If it takes more than a minute, clear the path, move stored items and add a tag. In a real leak, those seconds are the difference between a mop and a repair.
Write down the details
Keep a short note with the valve location, the type, the utility's phone number and the account number. Put a copy in the kitchen and one in your phone. If the valve is in a hard-to-reach place, take a photo that shows the surroundings. In a stressful moment, a photo is faster than memory, and it helps a family member or a neighbor find the valve if you are not home.
Tell everyone in the house
Show every adult and older child where the valve is and how it turns. Write it on a card near the fuse panel or the phone. A house sitter or a visitor should know before you leave. If you are traveling, shutting the main valve off while you are away protects against a leak that runs for days.
A smart shutoff valve closes the water automatically when a sensor detects a leak. It is an option for second homes and for anyone who travels.
After the water is off
Do not turn the water back on until the break is repaired. When you restore water, open the valve slowly and check for leaks. Run a faucet to clear air from the lines. If the pipes are old, the first surge can find another weak spot, so keep watching. A plumber can check the pressure and the regulator before the system is used normally. For hidden or recurring leaks, see leak detection.
Common questions
Main water valve questions
Usually on an outside wall near the front, in a garage near the water heater or in a utility closet. A second valve sits at the meter.
Use the house valve first. The meter valve belongs to the utility, and many utilities ask homeowners not to operate it.
Do not force it. Call the utility to shut off the water at the meter, then have a plumber replace the valve.
Once a year is enough to keep it from seizing and to confirm it works.
Related services
Water Line Repair & Replacement
Repair or replace the pipe that carries water from the meter into the house.
Leak Detection
Find a hidden leak behind a wall, under a floor or between the meter and the house.
Pipe burst or valve stuck?
Call the 24/7 line right away and tell the dispatcher what is happening.