Finding your water shutoff and breaker panel

You'll need

• A flashlight
• Your phone, to photograph what you find

Do it like this

1. Look for the main water shutoff in the basement, garage, crawl space, under the home or outside (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
2. Learn how it closes. A wheel (gate) valve turns clockwise until snug. A lever (ball) valve is off when the handle is perpendicular to the pipe (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
3. Find the shutoff behind each toilet and under each sink. These close clockwise too.
4. Find the breaker panel, often in a garage, basement, utility closet or hallway. Check that the breakers are labeled.
5. Photograph each one and save the photos in a phone album you can find fast. If you rent, ask your landlord where they are.

If it doesn't work

• No shutoff valve? Many apartments and older homes don't have one. In a leak, open all faucets and flush toilets to drain the pipes and lower the pressure (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
• Valve stuck? Don't force it. Call a plumber, or your landlord (Regional Water Providers Consortium).
• Some water providers let you shut off at the street meter in an emergency. Call yours to ask (Regional Water Providers Consortium).

Good to know