How do I shut off the water in an emergency?
Close the main shut-off valve, usually where the water line comes into the house. A lever handle (ball valve) closes with a quarter turn, so the lever crosses the pipe. A round handle (gate valve) closes by turning it clockwise until it stops (Cobb County Water System).
- Go to where the water line comes inIn many homes that is the basement or crawl space, the garage, or near the water heater. The map below shows the usual spots.
- Close the valveQuarter turn for a lever, clockwise until it stops for a round handle (Cobb County Water System).
- Check that it workedOpen a sink faucet. If water keeps flowing, you may have closed a fixture valve rather than the main (American Water).
- Stay clear of electricityIf water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, stay out of that room.
- Call for helpCall a plumber for the pipe and a water damage company for the drying. See emergency water damage for the full first hour.
Read the video transcript
A burst pipe in an Atlanta home keeps pouring until the water is off. Here is where to find your shut-off valve, and how to close it. The main shut-off valve is usually where the water line comes into the house. In a slab home, look near the water heater. In a basement home, check the front foundation wall. In a crawl space home, look near the water heater, or under the kitchen sink. A lever handle, called a ball valve, closes with a quarter turn, so the lever crosses the pipe. A round handle, called a gate valve, turns clockwise until it stops. Then open a sink faucet. If water keeps flowing, you may have closed a fixture valve, not the main. If the valve will not turn, do not force it. Call your Atlanta-area water utility, or a licensed plumber. Find your valve today, before you need it. The full guide is at 404waterdamage.com.
Where is the main water shut-off valve in my house?
It depends on the foundation. Forsyth County's water department says to look near the water heater in slab homes, near the front foundation wall in basement homes, and near the water heater or under the kitchen sink in crawl space homes without a basement (Forsyth County Water and Sewer).
| Where to look first | |
|---|---|
| Slab (no basement or crawl space) | Near the water heater |
| Basement | Near the front foundation wall |
| Crawl space and basement | Where the water supply enters the basement |
| Crawl space only | Near the water heater or under the kitchen sink, though it could be elsewhere |
Fulton County adds two more places: in the basement or garage directly behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below an outdoor faucet (Fulton County Water Services). American Water says the main valve is often near the water meter or close to where the water pipe enters the home (American Water).
- Meter box, usually in the front yard near the curb
- Outdoor faucet: check behind it inside, or below it outside
- Main shut-off valve, where the water line comes into the house
- Water heater, where the main valve is in many slab homes
- Under the kitchen sink
- Behind the toilet
- Behind the washing machine
Which way do I turn a ball valve or a gate valve?
A ball valve has a lever. Turn it a quarter turn so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe. A gate valve has a round handle. Turn it clockwise until it no longer rotates (Cobb County Water System).
- Most new homes have a ball valve, and older homes may have a gate valve (Forsyth County).
- If a gate valve does not turn easily, do not force it. Have it repaired so it turns easily (American Water).
- To turn the water back on, open the valve slowly (American Water).
Can I shut off water to just one sink or toilet?
Yes. Sinks, toilets and clothes washers have their own valves underneath or behind them that cut off water to that fixture only (Forsyth County). For a leak at one fixture, closing that valve keeps water on in the rest of the house.
- Sinks: the valve is often under the sink. Turn it clockwise until it is tight (American Water).
- Toilets and washing machines: look underneath or behind the fixture (Forsyth County).
- A burst pipe in a wall or ceiling: a fixture valve will not stop it. Close the main.
What about the valve at the water meter?
The meter is usually in the front yard near the curb, under a lid in a box in the ground (Cobb County Water System). There are also underground shut-off valves at the property line. Forsyth County says to call a licensed plumber or the water department if one of those needs to be shut off (Forsyth County).
Inside the City of Atlanta, for a burst pipe on private property, call a licensed plumber or Customer Service at 404-546-0311, 24 hours a day (ATL311). If you do not know where your Fulton County meter is, call 404-612-6830 (Fulton County).
Is the leak inside or outside?
Fulton County's test: close the main shut-off valve, make sure no water is being used, then watch the leak indicator on the meter. If it stops, the leak is inside the house. If it keeps moving, the leak is between the meter and the house (Fulton County Water Services).
What if I cannot find the valve or it will not turn?
Call your water utility or a licensed plumber rather than forcing it. A valve that will not turn easily should not be forced (American Water). These are the Atlanta-area water utility numbers:
- City of Atlanta: for a burst pipe on private property, call a licensed plumber or Customer Service at 404-546-0311, 24 hours a day (ATL311).
- DeKalb County water or sewer emergency: 770-270-6243, 24 hours (DeKalb Watershed Management).
- Gwinnett County: 678-376-7000, the 24-hour dispatch line for leaks, breaks and service disruptions (Gwinnett Water Resources).
- Fulton County: 404-612-6830 to find out where your meter is (Fulton County Water Services).
- Cobb County Water System: 770-419-6200 (Cobb County Water System).
If you have a home inspection report, check it. InterNACHI's standards require inspectors to describe the location of the main water supply shut-off valve (InterNACHI).
What should I do if pipes freeze?
Gwinnett County says that if your pipes are frozen, shut off the water at the main shut-off valve and let the pipes thaw, then have a licensed plumber assess the damage and make repairs (Gwinnett Water Resources).
- Open cabinet doors to let heat reach the pipes when temperatures drop below 32 degrees (Gwinnett County).
- Drip the faucet overnight to prevent freezing (Gwinnett County).
- In freezing weather, Gwinnett suggests shutting off the main valve and opening a faucet to drain the pipes any time you leave home overnight (Gwinnett County).
- Supply pipes in crawl spaces, attics, garages and kitchen cabinets are among the ones that freeze most often (American Red Cross).
What should I do before there is an emergency?
Find the valve now, while everything is dry. Everyone in the home should know exactly where the main shut-off is and how to turn it off (Forsyth County).
- Tag the valve so you can find it quickly in an emergency (American Water).
- Test it by slowly closing it, then check sinks and other fixtures to make sure you found the main (American Water).
- If the only valve is in the crawl space, Forsyth County suggests considering a second valve in the living space (Forsyth County).
- If you will be away for a long time, turn off the main valve to prevent a water emergency while you are gone (Forsyth County).
- Keep a flashlight and the tool you need near the valve if it sits in a dark crawl space.
The water is off. What now?
Start getting water out and drying. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth (EPA).
- Photograph every wet room before anything is moved. See emergency water damage.
- For standing water, see water removal.
- For what drying involves day by day, see water mitigation.
- For typical Atlanta costs, see water damage costs.
Common questions
Which way do I turn the water shut-off valve?
A lever handle (ball valve) turns a quarter turn so it crosses the pipe. A round handle (gate valve) turns clockwise until it stops.
Where is the main water shut-off in a house with a basement?
Usually near the front foundation wall, where the water supply comes in from the street.
Where is the main water shut-off in a slab house?
Forsyth County says it should be near the water heater. Fulton County also suggests checking the garage behind an outdoor faucet, or outside below one.
Who do I call in Atlanta if I cannot shut off the water?
Inside the City of Atlanta, call a licensed plumber or Customer Service at 404-546-0311, 24 hours a day.
How do I know I closed the main valve and not a fixture valve?
Open a sink faucet. If water still flows, the main valve is not closed or is not working.
Related guides
Sources
- Forsyth County Water and Sewer: where is the water shut-off valve for my home?
- Cobb County Water System: preparing your home for water service
- American Water: know how to shut off your water
- Fulton County Water Services FAQ
- ATL311: report a burst pipe, turn off water
- DeKalb County Watershed Management
- Gwinnett County: water outages
- Gwinnett County: freezing weather
- InterNACHI: Home Inspection Standards of Practice
- American Red Cross: preventing and thawing frozen pipes
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
Last reviewed November 13, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, insurance or medical advice.