How to Shut Off Your Water in an Emergency (Step-by-Step Guide)

Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

Your home’s main water shut-off valve controls the entire water supply. If you’re facing a plumbing emergency like a burst pipe, this is the first place to go.
Where to Find It in South Florida Homes:

• Along the exterior wall of the home near the water meter
• Inside the garage or utility area
• In a ground-level box near the front of your property

Pro Tip: Take a photo of your valve location and share it with your family, so everyone knows where to find it.

Turn Off the Water

Once you’ve found the valve, here’s how to shut it off safely:

• Ball Valve (lever handle): Turn it 90 degrees so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.
• Gate Valve (round handle): Turn clockwise until it stops (don’t over-tighten).

If your valve is stuck, use a wrench—but avoid using excessive force.

Isolate the Problem (Optional)

If the issue is limited to a specific fixture (like a leaking sink or overflowing toilet), you can shut off water just to that area:

• Toilet: Shut-off valve is near the base, behind the toilet.
• Sink: Look under the sink for hot and cold water valves.
• Washing Machine: Turn both supply valves clockwise behind the unit.

This can buy you time before a plumber arrives, without losing water access to your entire house.

Call An Emergency Plumber

Turning off the water stops the immediate crisis—but fixing the root issue is where professionals come in. At Flamingo Plumbing, we offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services across Palm Beach County, from Boca Raton to West Palm Beach and everywhere in between.

Click here to request emergency service or call us anytime at (561) 407-0508.

Make an Emergency Plumbing Plan

The best time to learn how to turn off your water is before a disaster happens.

• Label your shut-off valve
• Keep a wrench nearby
• Share the location with your household
• Schedule a plumbing inspection to make sure your shut-off valves are in working condition.