NWP-Ask a Plumber How to Stop the Water

How Do I Stop the Water?

Turn all shut-off valves clockwise to close the valve.

Fixtures Shut-Off

All fixtures, other than tubs and showers, have a separate shut-off valve at the fixture to allow you to turn off the water.

I.e.: Kitchen sink, bathroom sinks, toilets, and dishwashers.

Any leak from the shut-off valve to the fixture can be temporarily stopped by closing the valve.

Hose Bibb (Outside Faucet) Shut-Off

Any leak on the hose bibb (outside faucet) or associated piping can be temporarily stopped by closing the main shut-off valve for the individual hose bibb.

Hot Water System Shut-Off

Any leak on the hot water system can be temporarily stopped by closing the shut-off valve directly above the water heater.

Water Distribution System Shut-Off

Any leak in your water distribution system can be temporarily stopped by closing the main shut-off valve.

Where Can I Find My Shut-Off Valves?

Main water shut-off valves are commonly found near the water heater. The handle can be either a level handle or a round handle. This main shut-off valve shuts the water off only to the house, not from the meter to the main line. The shut-off valve for the entire house and the main water line running from the meter to the house can be found at or around your water meter.

Sink shut-off valves can be found under the vanity or behind the pedestal of your bathroom sink, or under the cabinet of your kitchen sink. Many of these shut-off valves are a push-pull type valve.

Hosebibb shut-offs can be tricky to find. The first place to look for hosebibb (outside faucet) shut-off valves would be at the water heater. There may be one shut-off valve located at the water heater or there may be more, it depends on the layout of the hosebibbs. The next place to look for the hosebibb shut-off is under either the kitchen sink or the powder room sinks, there you may find shut-off valves other than the one linked to the individual sink that control the water to the outside hosebibbs.