Shut off valve water leak

What is it: A shut-off valve controls the flow of water inside a property. There are usually multiple shut-off valves within a property. It is important to know how to shut off the water supply to your house or a specific plumbing fixture in case of an emergency, such as a burst pipe or a leaking faucet. Shutting off the water supply can prevent further water damage to your property.

For single-family homes, there is the main shut-off valve where the water enters the property from the street. This is referred to as the main shut-off valve. When this is turned on/off, it will turn off all the water or turn on all the water on the property. This is usually located inside the basement where the water line enters the property. If it is a finished basement, it is usually located inside a utility room or behind an access panel.  For Condo units and single-family homes, there will also be shut-off valves located on the water line going to the fixture. This allows you to shut off the water going to a specific fixture, which is important if there is a water leak.

Here are the steps for shutting off the main water supply to your house:

1. Locate the main water shut-off valve

• The main water shut-off valve is usually located near the water meter, which is usually found near the street or sidewalk.
• If you are unable to locate the main water shut-off valve, you can try looking in the following places: basement, crawl space, utility room, or outside near the foundation of your house.
• The main water shut-off valve is usually a round handle with a square stem, and it may be labeled "water main."

2. Turn off the main water shut-off valve

• To turn off the main water shut-off valve, locate the handle and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.
• If the handle is hard to turn, you can use a pipe wrench or pliers to get a better grip. Be careful not to apply too much force, as you do not want to break the handle.

3. Test the water supply

• After shutting off the main water shut-off valve, test the water supply to make sure it is indeed shut off.
• Turn on a faucet or flush the toilet to see if any water comes out. If no water comes out, then the main water shut-off valve has been successfully shut off.

Shut off the water supply to a specific plumbing fixture

• If you need to shut off the water supply to a specific plumbing fixture, such as a leaking faucet or toilet, you will need to locate the shut-off valve for that fixture.
• The shut-off valve for a plumbing fixture is usually located under the sink or behind the toilet, and it is a small valve with a handle.
• To shut off the water supply to a specific plumbing fixture, locate the valve and turn it clockwise as far as it will go.
• Again, if the handle is hard to turn, you can use a pipe wrench or pliers to get a better grip. Be careful not to apply too much force, as you do not want to break the handle.