How to Shut Off Your Water in an Emergency

Every homeowner in Westlake Hills needs to know this one thing before disaster strikes.

I'm Justin Sims, and in my years as a Master Plumber serving the Austin Hill Country, I've walked into hundreds of homes where a simple 30-second skill could have saved thousands of dollars in damage. That skill? Knowing how to shut off your water.

Whether you're dealing with a burst pipe, a major leak, or water spraying where it shouldn't be, the clock is ticking. Water damage doesn't wait, and neither should you.

Why This Knowledge Is Worth Its Weight in Gold

Here's a reality check: the average water damage claim in Texas runs over $10,000. I've seen beautiful Westlake Hills homes with $50,000+ in damage from a single burst pipe—damage that could have been minimized in minutes.

Think about it: water flows at roughly 2-3 gallons per minute from a standard supply line. That's 120-180 gallons per hour flooding your home. Every minute you spend searching for your shut-off valve is another couple gallons soaking into your floors, walls, and belongings.

The good news? Once you know where your valve is and how to use it, you can stop the flow in under a minute.

Where to Find Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

In Central Texas homes, your main shut-off valve is typically in one of three places:

Location 1: Where the Main Line Enters Your Home

This is the most common spot. Look for:

• A wheel-type valve (round handle, like a hose spigot)
• Or a lever-type valve (quarter-turn handle)
• Usually within a few feet of where the water line comes through the foundation
• Often in the garage, utility room, or near the water heater

Location 2: Near Your Water Meter

Your meter is typically near the street in a rectangular box set into the ground. There's usually a shut-off valve here too—but heads up, you may need a meter key (available at any hardware store for about $10) to operate it.

Location 3: Basement or Crawl Space

In older Hill Country homes, especially those with basements or crawl spaces, the valve may be down below. It's usually near where the main line enters.

**Pro tip:** Find your shut-off valve TODAY, while you're calm and dry. Put a tag on it if it's hard to spot. Your future panicked self will thank you.

How to Shut Off Your Water — Step by Step

For a Wheel-Type Valve (Gate Valve):

1. Grip the round handle firmly
2. Turn clockwise (righty-tighty)
3. Keep turning until it stops—these can take several full rotations
4. The valve should feel snug when fully closed

For a Lever-Type Valve (Ball Valve):

1. Locate the lever handle
2. Turn it 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the pipe
3. That's it—ball valves are quarter-turn

After Shutting Off:

1. Go to a faucet (preferably the lowest one in the house)
2. Turn it on to verify water is off and relieve pressure
3. Note: Water already in your pipes will still drain out—this is normal

Individual Fixture Shut-Offs: Your First Line of Defense

Sometimes you don't need to shut off the whole house. Every fixture should have its own shut-off valve:

**Toilets:** Look behind the bowl, near the floor. Turn the oval handle clockwise.

**Sinks:** Check under the cabinet. You'll find one or two valves (hot and cold) on the supply lines.

**Water Heater:** There's a valve on the cold water inlet at the top of the tank.

**Washing Machine:** Behind the washer, you'll find hot and cold supply valves.

If your problem is isolated to one fixture—say, a toilet that won't stop running—use the fixture valve first. It's faster and keeps water flowing to the rest of your home.

What to Do After Shutting Off the Water

Okay, the water's off. Take a breath. Now:

1. **Assess the damage.** What got wet? How much water?
2. **Don't turn the water back on** until the problem is fixed. I know it's inconvenient, but more water means more damage.
3. **Document everything** for insurance—photos and videos before you start cleanup.
4. **Start water removal.** Towels, a wet-dry vac, whatever you've got. The faster you dry things, the less damage and mold risk.
5. **Call for help** if the problem is beyond your skill level.

When to Call a Professional

Some situations require immediate professional help:

• Water is near electrical panels or outlets (don't touch anything—call an electrician first)
• You can see the source and it's a broken pipe
• Water is coming up from the foundation (potential slab leak)
• You smell gas near the water heater
• The valve won't turn or breaks when you try

A Quick Safety Note

**If you smell gas at any point, stop what you're doing, get everyone out of the house, and call 911 from outside.** Gas leaks take priority over water leaks, every time.

The Bottom Line

Finding your water shut-off valve takes five minutes today. It could save you five figures tomorrow. I tell every homeowner I work with: make it a house rule. Everyone in the family over 12 should know where the valve is and how to use it.

And if you find that valve and it looks corroded, stuck, or ancient? That's a great reason to get it replaced before you actually need it.

**Water emergency happening right now?** Give us a call at (512) 665-0250 — we give a 💩 and we're here to help, 24/7.

**Found your shut-off valve?** Great job. But if you need a pro, we're just a call away.

*Justin Sims is a Master Plumber and owner of SimsCo Mechanical & Plumbing, serving Westlake Hills, Bee Cave, Lake Travis, and Dripping Springs.*