Burst Pipe Repair
Stop the flow, then mend the cracked pipe, often one that froze during the night.
Homeowner guide
Finding the Main Water Shutoff in a Louisville, CO Home
When a pipe bursts, the quickest way to limit damage is to shut the main valve. Finding it during an emergency is hard. Find it today and test it.
By the Flatirons Express Plumbing team ·
Where to look
The main valve is where the water line enters the house. In many Colorado homes that is in a basement or a utility room, near the front foundation wall and close to the water heater. Some homes have a shutoff in a crawl space or a closet.
There may also be a second valve at the meter, which belongs to the utility. Some meters are in a pit near the street and need a special key. Do not use the utility's valve unless there is no other option.
Types of valves
A ball valve has a lever handle. A quarter turn, so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, closes it. A gate valve has a round wheel handle that turns several times, clockwise to close. Gate valves in older homes can corrode and stick.
If you have a gate valve, turn it gently. A valve that is stiff or leaks at the stem should be replaced. A plumber can swap it for a ball valve.
Valve types at a glance
Know which kind you have before an emergency.
| Type | How it closes | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Ball valve (lever) | Quarter turn, handle across the pipe | Generally reliable |
| Gate valve (wheel) | Several turns clockwise | Can stick or leak at the stem |
| Fixture stop under a sink | Clockwise to close | Old stops may not seal |
| Utility meter valve | Needs a key or special tool | Belongs to the utility, use as a last resort |
Test it
Close the valve fully, then open a faucet at the lowest part of the house. Water should stop within a short time. If it keeps running, the valve is not sealing. Open the valve again slowly to avoid a pressure surge.
Test once a year. A valve that has not moved in years can freeze in place, and testing keeps it working. Tie a bright tag to the handle so anyone can find it.
Fixture shutoffs
Individual fixtures have their own stops, small oval or round handles under sinks and behind toilets. Turn them clockwise to close. Knowing these can save you from shutting the whole house for a small repair.
Replace stops that leak or will not turn. Quarter-turn valves are more reliable than old multi-turn types.
If the valve will not turn
Do not force it. A handle that snaps leaves you with no shutoff. Try a little penetrating oil on the stem and tap gently. If it still does not move, call a plumber and, if water is flowing, use the utility's valve at the meter as a last resort.
See burst pipe repair for the full emergency sequence. If the valve leaks or fails, the plumber can replace it.
Water heater and fixtures after a shutoff
After you close the main, open the lowest faucet in the house to drain the lines. This relieves pressure and limits the water that can flow from a broken pipe. Turn off the water heater, since a tank that is not receiving water can overheat if the burner stays on.
When the repair is done, open the main slowly, with a faucet open somewhere in the house so air can escape. Then close the faucet and check every fixture for drips. Turn the water heater back on only after it has filled.
Know your system before an emergency
Walk the house and note every shutoff. There may be a valve at the main, at the water heater, at the softener, at the irrigation tap and at each toilet and sink. Label them with a paint pen or a tag.
If you have a pressure-reducing valve or an expansion tank, find those too. Take a photo of the layout and keep it where you can reach it from your phone. In a stressful moment a photo saves time.
Replacing a failing valve
A valve that leaks around the stem, will not close fully or is stiff to turn should be replaced. The job requires shutting off water at the meter, or at the street, so it is wise to have a plumber do it.
A full-port ball valve is a common replacement. It closes with a quarter turn and tends to last. Ask about adding a second shutoff on the irrigation line, so you can drain the sprinklers without touching the house supply.
Practicing with the family
Do a short drill once a year. Have each adult close the main, open a faucet to check that the water stops and then reopen the valve slowly. The drill takes five minutes and makes the steps familiar.
Post a card by the valve with the plumber's number and a reminder to open a faucet before turning the water back on. If you rent, ask the landlord to show you the valve when you move in.
When the valve is outside the house
Some homes have the shutoff in a pit near the street or in a utility box at the property line. Lids can be heavy and may have a special bolt. Do not climb into a pit, and do not use tools you are not sure about.
If you cannot find an interior valve, contact your water provider and ask where the shutoff is for your address. Many will tell you or send someone out. Write the answer down and keep it with your home records.
Teach the household
Make sure every adult and older child knows where the valve is and which way it turns. Write instructions on a card taped near the water heater. Include the emergency number.
If you rent, ask the landlord where it is. Tenants who know it can stop a loss before help arrives.
Quick answers
Main water valve questions
Clockwise for a wheel handle. A lever handle turns a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.
Replace it. A leaking stem or a valve that does not seal fully is a risk.
It belongs to the utility. Use the house valve first and the meter valve only in an emergency.
Once a year is a good habit.
Services that connect to this topic
Leak Detection
Pinpoint a concealed leak in a wall, a ceiling or the buried supply line, so only the right spot gets opened.
Water Line Repair & Replacement
Fix or swap the underground pipe that feeds the house from the meter.
Keep reading
Tracking down a hidden leak at home
A meter test, a toilet dye test and a walk through the basement can find most leaks before you call anyone.
A puddle under the water heater
Water under a tank can come from a loose fitting or a failed tank. Here is how to tell, and what to shut off first.
How to thaw frozen pipes safely
If water stops at a tap on a cold day, a pipe may be frozen. Here is how to thaw it safely and when to shut the water off.
Valve stuck or leaking?
Call and describe what it is doing. A dispatcher can connect you with a local contractor.