Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time to happen. Whether it’s a burst pipe, overflowing toilet, or a major leak under the sink, knowing how to shut off your home’s water quickly can mean the difference between a small mess and major water damage.

At Marv’s Plumbing & Heating, we’ve seen firsthand how fast water can cause costly damage. Here’s a simple guide every Cheyenne homeowner should follow to locate and shut off the water supply in an emergency.

🚰 Why You Need to Know This

Water can soak into walls, floors, and furniture in minutes. The faster you stop the flow, the less damage you’ll face. Even if you're calling in a plumber (and you should), you can save time and money by shutting things down while you wait.

🧭 1. Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve

The main water shut-off valve controls all water flowing into your home. Shutting this off stops water everywhere—sinks, toilets, showers, everything.

In most Cheyenne homes, the main shut-off valve is located:

In the basement or crawl space
Near the water heater or where the water line enters the home
On the wall facing the street (since water mains usually run under the street)

It typically looks like:

A round wheel-type valve (turn it clockwise to shut off)
Or a lever-style valve (turn it perpendicular to the pipe to shut off)

Take a few minutes today to find your shut-off valve, and make sure it’s easy to access. If it’s rusted or hard to turn, have a plumber take a look.

🚿 2. Know How to Shut Off Individual Fixtures

Sometimes, you don’t need to shut off the whole house—just a specific area.

Toilets:
There’s a small valve near the wall behind the toilet. Turn it clockwise to stop the water.

Sinks:
Look under the sink for two valves—one for hot water, one for cold. Turn both clockwise to shut off.

Washing Machines:
There should be two hoses and two valves (hot and cold) where the machine connects to the wall. Turn them clockwise.

This is especially helpful for small leaks or issues that don’t affect your whole home.

🧯 3. What to Do After the Water’s Off

Once you’ve stopped the water flow:

Turn off your water heater (if it’s a tank model, shut off the gas or electricity).
Open a faucet to relieve pressure in the system.
Clean up standing water to avoid damage or mold.
Call a plumber (like Marv’s!) to assess and repair the issue.

🛠️ Be Prepared Before an Emergency Happens

The worst time to go looking for your shut-off valve is when your floor is already flooding. Take these simple steps now:

Locate all shut-off valves
Label them if needed
Make sure they’re not stuck
Show everyone in your household how to use them

👷‍♂️ Need Help? Marv’s Is Just a Call Away

If you’re dealing with a plumbing emergency—or just want help finding or testing your shut-off valves—Marv’s Plumbing & Heating is here for you. We’ve been serving Cheyenne homes for decades, and we know how to stop leaks fast and fix problems right the first time.

Don't wait until you're ankle-deep in water. Be prepared—and know we're just a phone call away if you ever need us.

How to Shut Off Your Home’s Water in an Emergency