Every property has a point where the incoming water supply can be closed. Knowing where yours is — and that it actually turns — is the single most useful piece of plumbing knowledge a property owner can have.
Where to look
- On the wall where the service line enters the building, usually a basement or mechanical room
- Near the water meter, often with a valve on each side
- In a utility room, closet or under a basement stair in smaller buildings
- In commercial spaces, sometimes in a shared service room rather than your unit
What it looks like
Main shutoffs are usually either a round wheel handle (gate valve) or a straight lever (ball valve). A lever valve closes with a quarter turn. A wheel valve needs several full turns clockwise.
Testing it, carefully
- 01Choose a calm moment, not during a leak
- 02Turn the valve slowly — do not force it
- 03Open a tap upstairs to confirm the flow stops
- 04Open the valve again slowly and let the system refill gradually
- 05Check around the valve for weeping afterwards
Label it and tell everyone
Tag the valve, take a photo, and make sure everyone in the household or on staff knows where it is. In a rental or commercial space, confirm who is permitted to operate it.
Important
This article is general information for a demonstration website, not advice for a specific property. Where a situation involves gas, sewage, electricity or structural risk, contact the appropriate utility, emergency services or a qualified professional. Demonstration content. Company details, imagery, testimonials and statistics on this site are placeholders for presentation purposes.