How to turn off your water in an emergency
How to Turn Off Your Water in a Plumbing Emergency
In a burst pipe or major leak, the first 60 seconds matter enormously. Knowing where your main water shutoff is and how to use it can prevent thousands of dollars in flood damage. This is one of those things every homeowner should know before they need it.
Where to Find Your Main Water Stopcock
The main water stopcock (also called the main shutoff valve) controls all water entering your property from the street. Common locations include: near the water meter at the front of the property, under the kitchen sink, in the garage or laundry, in a utility cupboard, or near an external tap at the side of the house. In older Blue Mountains homes, it's often outside near the meter box. Take five minutes today to find yours — and make sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
How to Turn It Off
Most stopcocks are either a gate valve (requires multiple turns clockwise to close) or a ball valve (a quarter-turn so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe means it's off). Turn it clockwise (for gate valves) or perpendicular (for ball valves) to shut off the supply. If the valve hasn't been turned in years, it may be stiff — keep a pair of pliers near your stopcock for emergencies. If the valve is completely seized, call a plumber immediately.
Individual Fixture Isolation Valves
As well as the main stopcock, most modern fixtures have individual isolation valves — small valves on the supply pipes directly behind or under the toilet, basin, or kitchen sink. These let you shut off water to a single fixture without affecting the rest of the house. They're particularly useful for a leaking toilet or a tap that won't stop running. They operate the same way as a ball valve — quarter-turn to close.
After You've Turned Off the Water
Once the water is off, open taps throughout the house to drain remaining water from the pipes. This reduces pressure and clears the pipes faster. Turn off your hot water system to prevent the tank heating element running dry, which can cause damage. Then call a licensed emergency plumber — we carry most repair parts on the van and can attend most emergencies within 60 minutes.
Plumbing Emergency Right Now?
Turn off your water and call us — we're available 24/7 across the Blue Mountains and Western Sydney.
