During a pipe failure, shut off the closest relevant valve first — the fixture valve for an isolated leak, or the home’s main valve for anything larger — then drain the lines.
- Know where your main shutoff is before an emergency; test that it turns.
- Fixture valves stop isolated leaks fast without cutting all water.
- After shutting off, open faucets to drain remaining water from the pipes.
In this guide:
Shutoff steps, valve by valve
1. Identify the failure. If it’s one fixture (toilet, sink, water heater), use its local shutoff valve. 2. For anything larger — or if you can’t isolate it — go to the home’s main shutoff, usually where the supply enters the house or near the meter, and turn it clockwise. 3. Drain the system by opening faucets (lowest ones first) to relieve pressure and clear remaining water. 4. Cut power to the area if water is near electrical. This pairs with the broader emergency water shutoff checklist.
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Prepare before the freeze
The worst time to learn where your main valve is — or that it’s seized — is during a midnight pipe burst in a Texas cold snap. Locate and test it now, label all valves, and make sure everyone in the home knows the routine. The Texas Emergency Water Damage Checklist covers freeze preparation in depth.
The bottom line
Stopping a pipe failure is about knowing your valves in advance. Use the fixture valve for isolated leaks and the main for anything bigger, then drain the lines — and test that main valve before winter, not during a burst.
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Frequently asked questions
Should I use the main shutoff or a fixture valve?
For an isolated leak at one fixture, its local shutoff valve is fastest and keeps water on elsewhere. For a larger failure, or if you can’t isolate it, use the home’s main shutoff to stop all water to the house.
Where is my main water shutoff?
Usually where the supply line enters the home — in a garage, utility area, or near the meter at the street. Locate and test it before an emergency, since older valves can seize when you need them most.
Why open faucets after shutting off the water?
Opening faucets drains the water remaining in the pipes and relieves pressure, which limits how much leaks out of the failure point and helps prevent additional bursts in a freeze.