Pete's PlumbingWhere to find your water shut-off valve
Your main shut-off valve is usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement on the wall facing the street, or near the water meter or well pressure tank. Turn it clockwise, or a lever a quarter turn, to stop the water.
Updated October 26, 2026
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Your main shut-off valve is usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement on the front wall, near the water meter, or next to the pressure tank if you're on a well. Knowing where it is turns a burst pipe from a flood into a mop-up.
Where to look
| Your home has | Look here |
|---|---|
| Town water and a basement | On the basement wall facing the street, near the water meter |
| A private well | On the pipe beside the pressure tank, usually a blue or grey tank in the basement |
| A slab or crawl space | In a utility closet, near the water heater, or under an access panel |
How to turn it off
- A round wheel handle: turn it clockwise until it stops.
- A lever handle: turn it a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe, not along it.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the water left in the pipes.
- On a well with no valve you can find, switch off the well pump at the electrical panel.
Do it this weekend
Find it. Tag it. Show everyone.
A bright tag on the handle helps anyone in the house find it fast.
If your valve is stuck, leaking or hidden behind a finished wall, we can replace it with a quarter-turn valve that's easy to reach. Call (762) 254-4897.