//Glossary
Main water shutoff
The valve that stops all water coming into the house. Usually near the front hose bib, in a garage wall, or at the street meter box. Turning it clockwise until it stops isolates the house from the supply.
Why should I know where mine is?
Because a burst pipe does its damage in minutes, and the shutoff is the only thing that stops it while a plumber is on the way. Find it before you need it. Ask the technician to point it out at the end of a visit if you are not sure.
Guides that use this term
- › What to do when a pipe bursts: the first five minutes
- › Home plumbing maintenance checklist: five habits that catch leaks and clogs early
- › What to do in a plumbing emergency: shut off, stay safe, contain, call
- › The garage and the water heater closet: what lives there and what to watch
- › Outdoor and yard plumbing: hose bibs, yard lines, the regulator and the gas run to the BBQ
- › Mobile home plumbing: under-floor lines, low clearance and the fittings that are different
- › Low water pressure: one fixture, one bathroom, or the whole house?
- › Running toilet: why it keeps filling and when it is a bigger leak
- › DIY vs calling a plumber: what you can safely do yourself, and what you should not
Related terms
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