Water damage guide
How to Shut Off Your Main Water Valve
Find the main water shut-off in Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie homes, learn how gate and ball valves close, and what to do when one is stuck.
Short answer
Short answer: How to Shut Off Your Main Water Valve
In most Florida single-family homes, the main water shut-off is either on the pipe where it enters the house, often on an exterior wall near a hose bib, or at the water meter box near the street. Turn a lever (ball) valve a quarter turn so the handle sits across the pipe, or turn a round (gate) valve clockwise until it stops. Find and test yours before an emergency.
In this guide
- 1Why knowing this matters
- 2Where to look in a Florida home
- 3How to turn it off
- 4Step by step during a leak
- 5If the valve won't turn
- 6Prepare before you need it
Why knowing this matters
A burst supply line can release a lot of water quickly. Every minute the water runs, it spreads further under flooring and into walls, which increases drying time and repair costs. Shutting off the main is the single most useful thing you can do before help arrives.
Where to look in a Florida home
Florida homes rarely have basements, so the main valve is usually outside or in the garage. Check these places in order:
- Where the water line enters the house: often a pipe coming out of the ground along an exterior wall, frequently near a hose bib or on the side facing the street.
- In the garage, near the water heater or along the wall closest to the street.
- Inside a utility or laundry closet in some newer homes and condos.
- At the water meter box near the street or sidewalk, which has a valve on the utility side and sometimes one on the customer side.
- In condos, inside the unit near the water heater, under the kitchen sink, or in a utility closet; the building may also have shut-offs controlled by the association.
How to turn it off
Identify the valve type first, because they turn differently.
| Valve type | How it looks | To shut off |
|---|---|---|
| Ball valve | Lever handle | Turn a quarter turn so the handle is perpendicular (across) the pipe |
| Gate valve | Round wheel handle | Turn clockwise until it stops; do not force it |
| Meter box valve | Inside the box at the street | Usually needs a meter key; the utility side belongs to the utility |
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Step by step during a leak
- Shut the main valve (or the fixture's own valve, such as the toilet or sink shut-off, if the leak is there).
- Open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain pressure from the lines.
- Turn off the water heater (power or gas) if the main will be off for a while.
- If water is near outlets or the panel, do not touch electrical equipment while standing in water.
- Photograph the damage, then call a plumber to fix the leak and a restoration company to dry the area.
If the valve won't turn
Old gate valves can seize. Do not use a long lever or hit the valve; forcing it can break the stem and make the leak worse. Use the shut-off at the meter box instead, or call your water utility. In Fort Pierce, water service is provided by the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA); in Port St. Lucie, by the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems. Many unincorporated areas are served by one of these utilities or by a private well.
After the emergency, have a plumber replace a stuck valve with a quarter-turn ball valve.
Prepare before you need it
- Find the main valve and tag it so everyone in the household knows where it is.
- Test it once or twice a year by turning it off and on.
- Know where individual shut-offs are for toilets, sinks, the washer and the water heater.
- Keep a flashlight and, if needed, a meter key where you can find them.
- Consider an automatic leak shut-off valve if the home is often empty.
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Guides
Keep reading
- What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Water DamageA step-by-step checklist for the first 24 hours after a leak or flood in a Fort Pierce home: safety, stopping the water, documentation and drying.
- Are Water Leak Detectors Worth It?Water leak sensors, smart alarms and automatic shut-off valves compared, where to place them in a Florida home, and who benefits most.
- Water Heater Leaking From the Bottom: Causes and What to DoWhy a water heater leaks from the bottom, how to tell a valve leak from a failed tank, safe shut-off steps, and when the heater needs replacing.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Still unsure? Describe the problem on the phone and you will be connected with a restoration company serving your area.
Where is the main water shut-off in a Florida house?
Usually where the water line enters the house on an exterior wall, in the garage, or at the meter box near the street.
Which way do you turn a water shut-off valve?
Turn a round gate valve clockwise. Turn a lever ball valve a quarter turn so the handle is across the pipe.
How do I turn off water at the meter?
Open the meter box and use a meter key on the valve. Some boxes have a customer-side valve that turns by hand.
Can I turn off the water at the street myself?
The utility owns the meter and its valve. In an emergency many homeowners use it, but contact your utility if you are unsure.
Who supplies water in Fort Pierce?
The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) supplies water within its service area.
Who supplies water in Port St. Lucie?
The City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department supplies water in most of the city.
What if my shut-off valve is stuck?
Do not force it. Use the meter shut-off or call the utility, then have a plumber replace the valve.
Should I turn off the water heater when the main is off?
If the main will be off for a while, yes, turn off the power or gas to protect the heater.
Where is the shut-off in a condo?
Often near the water heater, under a sink or in a utility closet. Ask your association where building shut-offs are.
How often should I test my main valve?
Once or twice a year, so it does not seize when you need it.
Should I shut off the water before a hurricane evacuation?
Many homeowners do, to limit damage from a broken pipe while the home is empty.
What is a ball valve?
A valve with a lever handle that opens or closes with a quarter turn. It is easier and more reliable than an old gate valve.
Can I shut off just one fixture?
Yes. Toilets, sinks, washers and water heaters usually have their own shut-off valves.
What do I do after turning off the water?
Drain the lines at a low faucet, photograph damage, then call a plumber and a restoration company.
Who can help after a burst pipe in Fort Pierce?
Call the number on this page to be connected with an independent restoration company serving Fort Pierce.
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