Shut off water at one fixture
Gas smell, sparking, or anyone hurt: leave and call 911.
How to stop water at a single toilet, sink, washing machine or water heater using its own shutoff valve.
Before you start
- If water is touching outlets, cords, or a plugged-in appliance, do not step in it. Leave the room and call 911 or your electric utility.
- If you smell gas near a water heater, leave the home and call 911 from outside.
- If the valve is stuck or you cannot reach it safely, shut off the main water supply or call a plumber.
Steps
- Toilet. Find the small valve behind the toilet. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
- Sink. Find the hot and cold valves under the sink. Turn both clockwise until they stop.
- Washing machine. Find the hot and cold valves on the wall behind the machine. Turn both clockwise, or move a lever handle to off.
- Water heater. Close only the cold water supply valve on the pipe above the tank. Turn a wheel clockwise, or a lever a quarter turn.
- Do not touch the gas control, wiring or breaker for a water heater. Call a plumber to shut those off, and tell them the cold water supply is already closed.
- Turn valves by hand only. Do not force them. Then check that the water has stopped.
After
- Write down the time and which valve you closed.
- Take photos of the damage if it is safe.
- Call your insurance carrier using its own number.
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Script version 85f6b11c5d09 · approved 2026-10-22