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.
Start Your Valve MapTake a photo so you can find it fast later.
Pick a house layout and start adding valves. Your map appears here.
Every house is different, but valves tend to show up in the same spots. Use these as a starting checklist.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.