Emergency Water Shutoff Guide for Homeowners [2025]

Sam Simon

July 23, 2025

Think water shutoff is a job for the plumber? Think again. This guide shows you exactly how to turn off water at every key point in your home—from toilets and sinks to your water heater and ice maker. Learn where valves are located, when to shut them off, and how to avoid major damage before it starts. Written by ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons with 40+ years of hands-on experience in Chicago homes.

How to Prevent Thousands in Water Damage—One Valve at a Time

Introduction: Why This Guide Matters

Water damage is the second most common homeowners insurance claim in the U.S. (Source). And yet—in our 40+ years restoring water-damaged homes across Chicagoland, we’ve seen preventable flooding destroy basements, rot walls, and cause $20K+ in losses.

Often, the difference between a dry home and a disaster is knowing where to shut off the water—fast. This guide gives you step-by-step instructions for every major shutoff point in your home.

Also, if you're currently dealing with water damage, click here for immediate water damage restoration or call us at (773) 376-1110.

Part 1: The Main Water Shutoff Valve (Whole House)

Where It’s Located

In colder climates: typically in the basement, near the front foundation wall.
In warmer areas: may be outside near the meter box or street.
Some homes have both a meter valve and a house valve.

How to Shut It Off

Turn valve clockwise (right) until it stops.
Lever-style? Turn it so it’s perpendicular to the pipe.
Round gate valve? Multiple clockwise turns to close.

When to Use It

Burst pipe
Overflowing appliance
Major leak
Leaving town (prevents frozen pipes and unnoticed leaks)

Pro Tip: Label your shutoff valve with fluorescent tape. It saves precious seconds during a real emergency.

Part 2: Appliance-Specific Shutoff Valves

Toilets

Valve is behind the toilet near the floor.
Turn clockwise to stop the flow.
Use during overflow, tank leaks, or stuck float valves.

Tech Insight: Over 25% of bathroom water losses we’ve responded to started with a failed toilet supply line—a $10 part that causes thousands in damage.

Sinks (Kitchen & Bathroom)

Usually under the sink, hot and cold supply valves.
Turn both clockwise to shut off completely.

Washing Machines

Behind the machine: two valves (red/hot and blue/cold).
Turn both clockwise. If it’s a single lever, rotate perpendicular to the pipes.

Warning: Burst washer hoses are one of the top causes of non-weather water damage—especially in second-floor laundry setups.

Dishwashers

Often shares shutoff with the sink's hot water.
If separate, check for a dedicated valve under the sink or cabinet.

Refrigerators (Ice Makers/Water Dispensers)

Valve may be in:
- The basement directly below the fridge
- Behind the fridge
- Nearby cabinetry
Follow the copper or braided water line to find it.

Tip: Install a quick-access shutoff box with a labeled valve when replacing your fridge.

Water Heaters

Cold water shutoff is on top of the tank (usually blue handle).
For tankless: look for hot and cold isolation valves.

Emergency Protocol: If the tank is leaking, shut off both water and power/gas. Then call a licensed plumber and a water restoration pro.

Part 3: Outdoor Water Shutoff Points

Hose Bibs / Spigots

Shut off the interior supply valve before winter.
Drain the outdoor line to prevent frozen pipe bursts.

Irrigation Systems

Main shutoff is near where the system branches off from the indoor water line.
Shut off and drain the system before winter.

Part 4: Emergency Water Shutoff Checklist

Create a laminated version of this checklist and store it:

Inside the kitchen cabinet
Near the electrical panel
With your emergency binder

Checklist Includes:

Valve locations
Photos of each shutoff point
Emergency plumber and water restoration contacts
Date last tested
Notes for renters, landlords, and Airbnb properties

Why This Guide Builds Homeowner Confidence

You don’t need to be a plumber—just prepared. Knowing how to shut off your water can:

Prevent major water damage
Minimize insurance claims
Stop mold before it starts
Save you thousands in repair bills

Also, if you see persistent moisture or unusual bugs near plumbing, you may have a mold issue. Read our blog: Why Mold Mites Could Signal a Bigger Problem.

FAQ: Emergency Water Shutoff Questions

Where is my home's main water shutoff valve?
In colder regions, it's typically found in the basement near the front foundation wall. In warmer climates, it may be outside near the meter box or sidewalk. Some homes have a secondary interior shutoff as well.

Should I shut off water if I'm leaving town?
Yes. Shutting off the main water valve while you’re away is a smart preventative move, especially during winter months or if you’ve had previous leaks.

Can I turn off water to a single appliance without shutting off the whole house?
Yes. Most sinks, toilets, washing machines, and refrigerators have individual shutoff valves. This guide shows you how to find and operate them.

What do I do if I can't find a shutoff valve?
Start by checking near the base of appliances or in the basement/crawlspace. If you’re still unsure, contact a licensed plumber or call us at (773) 376-1110 for help.

Who should I call if water damage has already occurred?
Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons immediately at (773) 376-1110. We offer 24/7 emergency water cleanup and restoration services across Chicago and the suburbs.

When to Call the Experts

Even if you shut off the water, damage may already be spreading.

If you see:

Soaked flooring or carpets
Sagging ceilings
Bubbling drywall
A musty smell

📞 Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons at (773) 376-1110 or submit a request online.
We respond in 90 minutes or less across Chicago, Skokie, Oak Park, Deerfield, and throughout Lake, Cook, and DuPage Counties.

We offer:

24/7 emergency water extraction
Structural drying
Moisture mapping
Mold prevention
Direct insurance coordination

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is an IICRC-certified, award-winning disaster restoration company serving homeowners and businesses across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, and DuPage County. We specialize in:

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is America’s oldest restoration brand. With over 40 years of local experience, our team delivers rapid, reliable service—24/7.

Written by: Sam Simon, Owner – ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

IICRC Master Restorer | Co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile

Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.