How to Find and Shut Off Your Main Water Valve

Your main water shut-off valve is usually where the water line enters the house: in the garage near the water heater, in a utility closet, on an exterior wall, or in the crawl space. Turn a round wheel handle clockwise until it stops, or turn a lever handle a quarter turn so it sits crosswise to the pipe.

Find it now, before you need it. In a burst pipe, every minute you spend searching adds gallons of water to your floors and walls, and every gallon is more water an emergency water extraction crew in Tulsa has to pull out later.

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Main water shut-off valve with a red wheel handle on a pipe

Where to Look in a Tulsa Home

Home Type	Most Likely Spot
Slab home with a garage	Garage wall near the water heater, or where the line comes up through the slab
Home with a utility or laundry closet	Low on the wall behind or beside the water heater or washer
Older pier-and-beam home	Crawl space, near where the line enters from the street side, or an exterior wall facing the street
Some newer homes	A small access panel on an interior wall, or a valve near the front hose bib

Start on the side of the house that faces the water meter, which is usually near the street. The line usually comes into the house as directly as possible from there.

Open curb water meter box with shut-off valve and meter

The Two Kinds of Valves

Gate Valve (Round Wheel Handle)

Turn the wheel clockwise, "righty-tighty," until it stops. It can take several full turns. Do not force a valve that will not move; old gate valves can break.

Ball Valve (Lever Handle)

Turn the lever a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe. Lever in line with the pipe means open; lever crosswise means closed.

Ball valve with a blue lever handle on a water pipe

What About the Valve at the Street?

The meter box near the curb holds the utility's valve, and it usually needs a special meter key. In many cities only the water utility is supposed to operate it. If you cannot find or close your house valve during an emergency, call your water utility for help.

After You Shut the Water Off

01
Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the pressure out of the lines.
02
Turn off the water heater: gas to OFF or PILOT, or switch off the electric breaker, so it does not heat an empty tank.
03
Turn off power to wet rooms if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
04
Take photos of the leak and every wet area.
05
Call a plumber for the pipe and a water damage company to start drying.

Test It Once a Year

Find the valve and clear anything blocking it
Turn it off and confirm the faucets stop running
Turn it back on slowly
Tie a bright tag to the handle so anyone in the house can find it
Show everyone in the house where it is

If the valve is stuck, leaks at the stem, or will not fully close, have a plumber replace it before winter.

Main Water Valve FAQ

Which way do I turn to shut off the water?

Clockwise for a round wheel handle. A quarter turn crosswise to the pipe for a lever handle.

What if my main valve will not turn?

Do not force it. Close individual fixture valves under sinks and behind toilets if the leak is there, and call your water utility or a plumber for the main. If water is already spreading from a burst pipe, call for water removal at the same time.

Should I shut off the water when I go on vacation?

Yes, especially in winter. It is one of the simplest ways to stop a small leak from becoming a flooded house. See the full holiday home water damage checklist.

Do I need to turn off the water heater too?

Yes, once the main is off. A water heater with no incoming water can overheat or run dry.

Do Not Wait