The order to try
Start small and go bigger only if needed.
The appliance's own valve
Washers, dishwashers, ice makers and water heaters each have a local shutoff. Closing it stops that line while the rest of the house keeps water.
The fixture stop or branch valve
Under a sink or near a water heater, there may be a quarter-turn or multi-turn valve controlling that branch.
The main shutoff
Usually where the water line enters the house, often in a basement, garage wall or utility room. It stops water to everything.
The meter-side valve
If the main inside will not close, there may be a valve at the street-side meter pit. Ask the water provider how to use it, because it may need a special key.
Find them before you need them
In a ranch or bi-level, the main often sits near where the line enters the foundation wall or near the water heater. In a two-story with a slab, it may be in a garage, utility closet or crawl space. The time to find it is on a quiet afternoon. Turn it all the way and back, label it with a tag, and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. Older multi-turn gate valves can stick or fail to seal after years of not being moved, which is worth mentioning to a plumber.
Local shutoff versus main
| Closing the local valve | Closing the main |
|---|---|
| Keeps the rest of the house running | Stops every source at once |
| Fastest when the valve is reachable | Takes you away from the leak |
| Works only if it seals properly | Affects toilets, taps and heaters house-wide |
| Is not available for every appliance | Is the fallback if a valve is stuck or submerged |
After the water is off
- Open a low tap to drain pipe pressure if appropriate
- Move belongings out of the wet area
- Photograph the scene
- Record the time of shutoff
- Keep the failed part
- Note which rooms look wet and which look dry
Keeping tools handy
A flashlight, a pair of rubber-soled shoes, a basic adjustable wrench and a towel in a basket near the main shutoff make a first response easier. Some valves need a wrench or valve key to turn. A shutoff valve map, filled in once, saves time when someone other than the person who lives there has to act.
General information for Arvada, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.