Burst Pipe Repair
Stop the flooding first, then cut out the split section and inspect the pipe nearby.
Plumbing guide
Shutting Off the Main Water Valve in Peoria, AZ Homes
The quickest way to limit damage from a failed pipe is to close the main valve. Locating it today is far easier than hunting for it in a flood.
By the Peoria Express Plumbing team ·
Why it matters
A burst line can release a large volume of water in minutes. Closing the main valve stops the flow into the house while you call for help.
Plenty of homeowners learn where theirs is only when they need it. A look once a year solves that.
Where to look
In many Arizona homes the main shutoff sits on an outside wall, often toward the front of the house or beside the water heater. Other common spots are a garage, a utility closet or a box set in the ground near the street.
Look for a pipe entering the house with a valve and a handle, or a rectangular cover marked for water. The meter box near the curb has the utility's valve, which is usually meant for the provider.
Types of valves
A ball valve is worked by a lever. Turn it a quarter so the handle lies across the pipe and the valve is shut.
A gate valve has a round wheel that takes many turns. Rotate it clockwise until it halts. Aging gate valves can stick or fail to seal fully, so try them out.
Main valve styles
Learn which style you have before an emergency.
| Style | Look | To close it |
|---|---|---|
| Ball valve | Lever handle | Swing the lever a quarter turn so it lies across the pipe |
| Gate valve | Round wheel | Rotate clockwise to the stop, never past it by force |
| Meter valve | Inside a ground box near the curb | Belongs to the utility, so ask first |
How to close it
Turn the handle in the direction that closes it, clockwise for a wheel and across the pipe for a lever. Do not force a valve that will not move, because it can break.
Next, open the lowest tap in the house and let the water still in the pipes run out.
Test it once a year
Close the valve and open a tap. If water stops, the valve works. If water keeps running, the valve is not sealing and should be replaced.
Open the valve slowly afterward. This avoids a pressure surge that can stress pipes and appliances.
Fixture shutoffs
Toilets and sinks have their own small valves. Knowing where they are lets you stop a single leak without losing water in the whole house.
If one of those valves is stuck or dripping, it can be replaced for a modest cost. See toilet repair and installation and faucet and sink repair.
After you shut it off
Call for help if a pipe has burst. A dispatcher can connect you with a contractor, and a water damage crew can dry the area. Read the burst pipe repair page.
Take photos of the damage for your records, and switch off the power to wet areas if it is safe to do so.
Mark and label
Tie a bright tag to the valve or paint the handle. Make sure everyone living there knows its location.
A photo on your phone and a note with the valve type help a babysitter or guest.
If the valve is stuck
Do not use a pipe wrench or a long lever on a stuck valve. It can snap the stem or break the pipe.
Call a plumber to replace it. A new full-port ball valve is a better long-term choice than an old gate valve.
Restoring water
Open the valve slowly and let the pipes fill. Check taps for sputtering air, and look for leaks.
If you shut off for a burst, do not reopen until a plumber has repaired it.
Special locations to check
Homes with a pump, a pressure tank or a second structure may have additional shutoffs. A guest house, a casita or a detached garage with a sink can have its own valve.
Pool equipment and irrigation often have a separate supply line with its own valve. Learn each of them, and label them.
If you are not sure which valve controls what, close one at a time and test with a faucet.
What to do while water is off
Open the lowest faucet to let water drain and relieve pressure. Turn off the water heater power or gas if the tank has been drained, because heating an empty tank can damage it.
Do not run the dishwasher or washer. Keep a few jugs of drinking water on hand for emergencies.
Once repairs are done, run each tap for a minute to clear air and sediment.
Another utility's advice
The Western Virginia Water Authority has a page on locating your main water valve. It advises closing the valve once to confirm it works, marking it with brightly colored tape and making sure everyone in the household knows where it is.
Common questions
Main shutoff questions
Often on an exterior wall near the front, in the garage or at the water heater. A plumber can mark it for you.
Do not force it. A stuck valve should be replaced by a plumber. The utility's valve at the meter may be an option in an emergency.
Yes. Test it once a year so you know it holds.
Related services
Leak Detection
Track down hidden water loss using listening gear and thermal imaging, so only a small patch gets opened.
Water Line Repair & Replacement
Buried supply pipe trouble from meter to house, handled with a repair or a fresh run.
More plumbing guides
How to find a hidden water leak
Begin at the water meter and work inward through a few checks until the hidden leak is narrowed to a room or a pipe.
Water heater leaking from the bottom
A puddle under the heater has more than one possible source. Learn to tell a loose fitting from a tank that is done.
Outdoor spigot leaking
Water seeping from an outdoor faucet is wasted, and may point at a larger fault. See where it escapes and which part to change.
Water running and no shutoff?
Phone the line right away. A dispatcher can connect you with a contractor for emergency service.