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Find and label the household-side main water shutoff before you need it. In a leak, a valve you can reach and operate safely may limit additional water damage; during a water outage, your utility can tell you whether service is interrupted and whether the water needs special handling. Valve locations and ownership vary, so do not operate a meter-box valve unless you know you are allowed to.
Where to look for the main water shutoff
Start where the water service pipe enters the building. Look in a basement, utility area, crawlspace or garage, then check around the water meter. In some homes, the household shutoff is outside near the meter. If the home uses a well, check near the well pump. Layouts vary; FEMA’s earthquake safety guide describes common locations and valve operation.
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Look for a valve on the incoming pipe—not just the meter itself. Common types include a round-handled gate valve and a lever-style ball valve. A fixture shutoff under a sink or behind a toilet controls only that fixture; the main shutoff controls supply to the home. A water heater may also have an isolation valve for its own supply, but it is not a substitute for the main shutoff in a whole-home leak.
Know which valve you are allowed to operate
A curb stop in a meter box may be utility-owned or utility-controlled. EPA describes the service connection as a general boundary between public distribution equipment and customer-side piping, but actual ownership, access and operating rules depend on the local utility. Check with the utility or a plumber if you cannot identify a household-side valve. Do not turn an unknown curb stop or use a tool on utility equipment without permission. See the EPA’s drinking water distribution system resources and your local utility’s rules.
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Prepare the valve before an interruption
- Locate and label it. Mark the household main clearly so someone can find it quickly; FEMA’s 2011 utility-outage checklist says to “Locate and label main water cutoff.”
- Show household members how it operates. If it is safe and accessible, check that the valve moves as intended. Do not force a stuck or corroded valve; arrange for a plumber to assess it. Fort Worth Water also advises checking that the valve works in its cold-weather preparation guidance.
- Keep only the right tool nearby. Some valves need a tool, but confirm the valve type and your authorization before buying or using a meter key or shutoff wrench.
- Save contact details. Keep the local water utility’s outage and emergency contact route handy. Renters should also know how to reach the landlord or property manager.
For broader outage preparation, FEMA’s 2011 checklist recommends storing three days of drinking water at one gallon per person per day. That figure is the advice in that handout, not a universal current requirement.
If water service stops: check for an outage first
Check the water utility’s outage notices or call its customer-service or emergency line. You can also ask a neighbor whether their water is affected. If several homes are without water, a utility-side interruption is more likely; if only your home is affected, a closed valve, plumbing problem or frozen line may be involved. This is a screening step, not a diagnosis.
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Follow the utility’s instructions about whether water is safe to drink or needs special handling. Drinking-water notices and any steps after service returns depend on the specific event; get them from the utility or local public health authority rather than assuming one procedure applies everywhere.
In freezing weather, do not try to thaw a water meter. Arlington County advises contacting the utility if you suspect the meter is frozen; see its frozen-pipe guidance.
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If a pipe leaks or bursts
- Stop the water if it is safe. Close the household main for a serious or whole-home leak. Use a fixture shutoff only when the leak is isolated to that fixture and its valve is accessible. FEMA’s outage checklist advises shutting off water for a burst pipe.
- Stay out of electrical hazards. Do not cross standing water to reach electrical equipment or enter a flooded basement to shut off power. If water blocks safe access to the valve or creates another hazard, get emergency or utility help.
- Call a licensed plumber. Get professional help for a burst pipe, a leak you cannot stop safely, or a valve that is stuck, damaged or leaking. If the meter or utility-side line is damaged, notify the utility; responsibility and contact procedures vary locally.
- Protect belongings only when safe. Move items away from water if you can do so without entering a hazardous area, and begin appropriate cleanup. A plumber can address the plumbing; follow local health or remediation guidance if the water damage is extensive.
- Restore water carefully. When it is appropriate to reopen the main, do so slowly and inspect visible connections and fixtures for leaks. Fort Worth Water recommends slow recharging after freeze events in its pipe-preparation guidance.
Prevent frozen pipes and respond safely if one freezes
Before cold weather
- Insulate exposed pipes in unheated or drafty areas. Henrico County’s frozen-pipe advice recommends insulating pipes in those locations.
- Close drafts by shutting outside doors and windows near plumbing, and disconnect garden hoses. Cover outdoor faucets where local guidance recommends it.
- Know where the household main is and how to reach it before temperatures fall. Local advice on dripping faucets or other cold-weather measures can differ, so follow your utility’s instructions.
If a pipe freezes
Do not use a torch or other open flame. Arlington County recommends shutting off water, then warming an accessible frozen pipe gradually with a hair dryer or warm towels and checking for cracks or leaks after it thaws. Do not use electrical appliances where standing water could create an electrical hazard. If you suspect a burst, cannot locate the frozen section, or cannot work safely, call a plumber. For a frozen meter, contact the utility instead of trying to thaw it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the water meter to screen for a possible leak
EPA’s Home Maintenance guidance describes a simple check: record the meter reading when no water is being used, wait two hours without using water, then read it again. A changed reading suggests a possible leak; it does not identify its location or prove which pipe is responsible.
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EPA also says that more than 12,000 gallons (16 CCF) per month in winter may indicate a serious leak for a family of four with no outdoor water use. Treat this as EPA’s stated indicator under those specific circumstances, not a universal threshold for every household or season. Leak-monitoring products are another option, but distinguish water-presence alarms from systems that monitor flow, and alert-only devices from those designed to close a valve automatically. Check sensor coverage, installation compatibility, power, connectivity and maintenance before choosing a system.
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