Know where every shutoff valve is before you need it.

Build a room-by-room map of your home's plumbing valves. Add photos, notes, and condition warnings. Print an emergency card for your fridge.

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Valve Map Planner

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Pick a house layout and start adding valves. Your map appears here.

Common Valve Locations by House Type

Every house is different, but valves tend to show up in the same spots. Use these as a starting checklist.

Single-Story Ranch

  • Main shutoff: front foundation wall, garage, or utility closet
  • Water heater: garage or utility closet
  • Kitchen: under the sink
  • Bathrooms: under each sink, behind each toilet
  • Laundry: behind the washer
  • Exterior: hose bib on front and back walls
  • Dishwasher: under the kitchen sink or adjacent cabinet

Two-Story House

  • Main shutoff: basement, crawl space, or front exterior
  • Water heater: basement or second-floor utility closet
  • First floor: kitchen sink, half bath, laundry room
  • Second floor: each bathroom sink and toilet
  • Exterior: front and rear hose bibs
  • Ice maker: behind the fridge or under the kitchen sink

Townhouse / Row Home

  • Main shutoff: front utility closet, basement, or exterior near the sidewalk
  • Water heater: top floor utility closet
  • Kitchen: under the sink
  • Bathrooms: under sinks, behind toilets
  • Laundry: stacked unit area on upper floor
  • Exterior: shared wall hose bib or small patio area

How to Find Your Valves

1

Start at the main

Find where water enters your house. Look in the basement, crawl space, garage, or along the front exterior wall. The main valve is usually near the water meter. If you have a well, look at the pressure tank. Mark this first. It is the most important one.

2

Check every sink

Open the cabinet under each sink. Look for small oval or lever handles on the supply lines. These are fixture stops. Test them by turning clockwise. If they move, add them to your map.

3

Look behind toilets

Each toilet has a small valve on the wall or floor behind the bowl. The handle usually points toward the wall when open. Turn it gently to confirm it works.

4

Find the water heater

There is a valve on the cold water line feeding the heater. It may be a ball valve with a lever. Some homes also have a valve on the hot water outlet. Add both if present.

5

Check the laundry area

Washing machines typically have two valves behind the unit: hot and cold. They are often small lever handles. Some homes also have a single washing machine box built into the wall.

6

Walk the exterior

Look for hose bibs on the front, side, and back of the house. Some homes have a separate valve inside for the exterior lines. Check the garage and any outdoor utility areas.

Common Mistakes That Cost Time

Painted-shut valves

Paint seals the handle to the body. When you need it, it will not turn. Scrape paint from the stem and work the handle back and forth. If it will not budge, call a plumber to replace it before an emergency.

Confusing the main with a branch valve

Turning off a branch valve only stops water to one area. In a real emergency, you want the main. Label your map clearly so anyone can tell the difference.

Never exercising valves

Valves that sit unused for years can seize. Turn each one off and on once a year. This takes 15 minutes and can save thousands in water damage.

No map for guests or sitters

Print your emergency card and put it on the fridge. A house sitter, babysitter, or guest who does not know your home should still be able to find the main shutoff.

Annual Valve Maintenance

Set a reminder for the same day each year. Walk through your map and turn every valve off and back on. Replace any that are stiff, corroded, or leaking. If you have a gate valve that is hard to turn, consider upgrading to a ball valve. Ball valves are more reliable and easier to operate.

Questions Homeowners Ask

What if I cannot find a valve in a room?

Not every room has a dedicated shutoff. Many homes only have fixture-level valves under sinks and behind toilets. Mark the room as checked and move on. Your map will still show the nearest valve.

How often should I check my valves?

Once a year. Turn each valve off and back on to keep it from seizing. If a valve will not move, do not force it. Call a plumber before it breaks.

Can I share this map with a house sitter?

Yes. Use the print button for a clean one-page emergency card. You can also copy the share link and text it to anyone staying at your home.

What is the difference between the main shutoff and fixture valves?

The main shutoff stops all water to the house. It is near the water meter or service line entry. Fixture valves stop water to a single sink, toilet, or appliance. You want to know both.

My valve is painted over. What should I do?

Mark it on your map with a warning. A painted valve may not work when you need it. Have a plumber replace it before an emergency. This is one of the most common reasons homeowners cannot shut off water quickly.