01Main valve tour
Walk the house: basement, garage, or outside near meter. Turn handle perpendicular to pipe = off.
Label with tape 'MAIN OFF.' Every adult in house knows location.
Home & DIY
Plumbing Emergency: Shut Off Water and Stop a Leak
Main valve, angle stops, pipe tape, and when to call — before the ceiling stains
45 min5 photographed stepsBeginner
When a pipe leaks NOW: find and turn main shutoff, know where angle stops are under every sink and toilet, tighten fittings vs replace supply line, use pipe tape on threaded joints only, bucket and contain, document for insurance, and the three situations that always need a licensed plumber (gas, sewer backup, burst in wall).
What you'll learn
- Main shutoff: street, meter, or where line enters house
- Angle stop under sink/toilet — turn clockwise
- Supply line leaks: shut off, replace line — don't over-tighten
- Call pro: gas smell, sewage, multiple fixtures flooding
Inside this course
- Find shutoffs tonightNot during panic.
- Stop common leaksContain first.
- When to call a proPass criteria.
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First steps from Find shutoffs tonight
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02Angle stops under fixtures
Under each sink and behind toilet — oval handles. Clockwise off. Test one — water stops at faucet.
If frozen or corroded, note 'replace soon' — emergency off fails when seized.
Pro tip. Photo shutoff map — save in phone album 'House'.
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