There’s nothing more frightening as a Louisiana homeowner than dealing with a flood. While we can’t prevent floods caused by Mother Nature, you can prevent man-made bathroom floods by knowing how to turn off your water at home when something is wrong with your plumbing. Read on to learn how to shut off water supply valves like a pro.
1. Understanding the 3 Types of Water Shutoff Valves
Generally, every home is connected to three types of water shutoff valves:
- Main shutoff valves, which control the flow of water to the entire house and can stop water from entering the home altogether.
- Isolation valves prevent water from flowing to individual fixtures and appliances.
- Water meter valves, located outside near the street, are generally used as a last resort to cut water off from your property.
Each type of valve serves a different purpose and may come into play depending on the situation when you need to shut off your water supply at home.
2. How to Find Your Main Water Shutoff Valve
As the primary control for water entering your home, the main shutoff valve is an important fixture to locate when trying to turn off your water at home.
Where is the main water shutoff valve in my house?
Where the main shutoff valve was installed in your home depends on how your house was built.
In many cases, here in the New Orleans area, your main shutoff valve won’t be located inside your house at all—it’s actually often located outside. In our warm Louisiana climate where we don’t have to worry about frequent freezes, main water valves are frequently installed outside. You can usually find them attached to an exterior wall near the front or side of your home.
If you can’t locate your main water valve outside, check for it mounted on an interior wall near where the main water line comes in from the street, typically on the side of the house that faces the road. In single story homes with slab-on-grade constructions, your main water valve may be found near the water heater, inside your garage, or under the kitchen sink.
If you’re having trouble locating your home’s main water valve, your home inspection report might note its location, or your local utility company can help point you in the right direction.
3. How to Turn Off Your Water at Home From the Main Water Valve
Once located, you’ll need to identify the type of main water valve your home has.
What does a main water shutoff valve look like?
Your home’s main water valve is how your home is connected to the city water supply. To find it, look for large pipes surrounded either a Ball valve handle or a Flat valve handle. Ball valve handles are long, thin, and–confusingly–quite flat, shaped like a popsicle stick. Counterintuitively, of the two options, flat (or gate) valve handles are the circular ones, and they resemble a wheel or a lid to a bottled drink. Whether your main valve has a ball or a flat handle, they both typically will be covered in a brightly-colored coating to easily draw attention to them.
When turning off your main water valve, only use your hands, and NEVER force the valve. If the valve is stuck or corroded, stop and call a plumber. You do not want to risk breaking your water supply and ending up with a flood. After shutting off the valve, turn on faucets throughout your home, working from lower floors to upper ones, to drain the lines and relieve built-up pressure.
4. How to Shut Off Your Water Supply at the Meter (If Necessary)
If your home’s main valve is broken, stuck, or inaccessible, you may need to shut off your water at the city meter. This should only be done when necessary, since the meter is partly the property of the city and often protected by local rules. The water meter is usually located underground near your front curb, inside a covered box or pit. You may need a meter key, which can be purchased at most hardware stores, to open the lid. A long screwdriver may also work in some cases. Be careful when you open the meter box, as it can contain dirt, insects, or even small animals.
Once the lid is removed, you’ll see two valves:
- One closer to your house (the customer side)
- One closer to the street (the city side, which should never be touched)
Turn the customer-side valve slowly until it is perpendicular to the pipe to shut off the flow.
5. How to Shut Off Water Supply to Individual Fixtures
For smaller issues, like a dripping faucet or running toilet, it’s easier and more efficient to use isolation valves. These valves control water to a specific fixture or appliance, allowing the rest of your home to stay fully functional.
Here’s where you can typically find them:
- Toilets: Look for a single valve near the floor beside the tank
- Sinks: There should be two valves (hot and cold) under the basin
- Showers/Tubs: Access panels might be behind the wall, under the floor, or in the ceiling
- Dishwashers & Refrigerators: Trace the water line from the back of the appliance; valves are often under the sink
- Washing Machines: Look for a recessed box with separate valves for hot and cold water.
To shut off the water to an individual appliance, simply turn its isolation valve clockwise until it stops. It’s a good idea to add valve checks to your routine home maintenance checklist; over time, some valves can corrode or seize up, making them hard to use when you need them most.
6. How to Shut Off Water to the Water Heater
If the problem involves a hot water line or the water heater itself, you’ll need to shut off the cold water supply feeding into it. This valve is usually located just above the water heater. Do NOT turn off the hot line. Look for a blue or yellow handle to turn off the cold water line. If you’re unsure which is which, or if you’re concerned about doing it correctly, it’s best to contact your plumber for guidance.
For electric water heaters, be sure to cut power to the unit before draining any water. For gas heaters, you may also need to shut off the gas supply if you’re performing repairs or leaving the system off for an extended time.
7. Draining the System and Releasing Pressure
After shutting off water to your home or to a specific fixture, remember to turn on your faucets to release pressure and help drain the system. Start with a faucet on the highest floor in your home, then open lower-level faucets or hose bibs. This step helps avoid trapped air, frozen pipes, and pressure buildup that could complicate future repairs or restorations.
8. Turning Water Back On Safely
When it’s time to restore water to your home, proceed slowly to avoid sudden pressure surges.
- Make sure at least one faucet is turned on.
- Gradually turn the main valve counter-clockwise (for gate valves) or rotate the ball valve handle 1/4 turn.
- Let water flow from the open faucets until the air is fully pushed out and the noise stops.
- Once water pressure feels steady, turn the faucets off and check for any leaks.
Important: If you shut off power to an electric water heater, do NOT restore power until water is fully flowing again. Otherwise, you risk damaging the heating elements. If you shut off the gas, follow the appliance’s relighting instructions or call a professional.
If Turning Your Water Off Doesn’t Work, We’ll Bee There
Taking the time to locate your valves, test their functionality, and understand how to shut off your water supply before you have any plumbing problems can save you thousands of dollars in repairs and give you peace of mind.
However, if you turn off your water at home and are still facing plumbing or flooding problems, call your friendly Louisiana plumber, and we’ll bee right there. We’re only a buzz away: call us at 985-999-4559 whenever you need a plumbing expert.