Plumbing tips · October 12, 2026
Find your main water shut-off before you need it
When a pipe bursts or a supply line lets go, the minutes before the water is off are the ones that do the damage. Knowing where the main shut-off is, and that it works, is the cheapest protection a house has.
Where to look
Start where the water line comes into the house. On many slab homes the house shut-off is outside near the foundation, often on the side closest to the street, or inside the garage near the water heater. Some houses have it in a utility closet or under a cover in the floor.
The valve at the meter
There is also a valve at the water meter, usually in a box near the street. That one belongs to the water provider and often needs a meter key to turn. It works in an emergency, but the house shut-off is the one you should be able to reach without tools.
How to close it
A lever handle (ball valve) closes with a quarter turn, so the handle ends up across the pipe. A round wheel handle (gate valve) turns clockwise several times until it stops. Do not force a valve that will not move: an old one can break, and then it will not close at all.
Test it and mark it
Once a year, close it and open a faucet to make sure the water stops, then open it back up. Hang a tag on it and show everyone in the house where it is. If it is stuck, leaks around the stem or does not stop the water, have a plumber replace it before the day you need it.
The smaller shut-offs
Most sinks and toilets have their own small valves under them, and the water heater has a valve on its cold supply. For a leak at one fixture, closing that valve stops the water without shutting off the whole house.
Questions we get asked
What if I cannot find my main shut-off?
Follow the line from the water meter toward the house, and check the outside walls, the garage and near the water heater. If it is still not there, a plumber can locate it and, if needed, add one you can reach.Can I turn off the valve at the water meter myself?
It belongs to the water provider and usually needs a meter key. In a real emergency it will stop the water, but check with your provider about their rules.My shut-off is stuck. What should I do?
Do not force it with a wrench or a cheater bar. A stuck or leaking shut-off should be replaced by a plumber so it works when it counts.Plumbing questions we answer
Where we go
Parker, Wise and Tarrant County, out of the shop in Springtown. Springtown, Weatherford, Azle, Boyd, Decatur, Newark, Millsap, Fort Worth and the country in between.
Call 817-487-8866