Where to look
Where your main shutoff is
- Garage. Check the wall where the water line comes in, often near the front of the garage or behind the water heater.
- Near the water heater. In some homes the main is close to the heater closet.
- Front of the house. Look near the foundation in a flower bed or under a small cover.
- Meter box at the curb. The city meter box has a valve on the street side of the meter that shuts off everything.
How to turn it
Turning it off
- Wheel (gate) valves turn clockwise several turns until snug. Don’t overtighten old valves.
- Lever (ball) valves turn a quarter turn; closed is when the lever is across the pipe.
- Meter box valves often need a meter key, sold at hardware stores. Keep one in the garage.
- Stuck or leaking valve? Don’t force it. Call a plumber, or the city if it’s the meter valve.
Fixture shutoffs
Shutting off one fixture
| Fixture | Where the shutoff is |
|---|---|
| Toilet | Behind the toilet, near the floor |
| Sink | Under the sink |
| Dishwasher | Under the kitchen sink |
| Refrigerator / ice maker | Behind the fridge or under the sink |
| Washing machine | Behind the washer |
| Water heater | Cold-water valve on top of the tank |
Do it now
Test it before a freeze
Valves that haven’t moved in years can stick. Test yours once a year, ideally in the fall before freeze season, and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is.
More freeze prep: Richardson freeze checklist. If a pipe already broke: what to do when a pipe bursts.
FAQ
Water shutoff FAQs
Where is the main water shutoff in a Richardson house?
In most Richardson slab homes, the main shutoff is in the garage (often on the wall where the line enters), near the water heater, or in the meter box near the curb. Some homes have a shutoff in a front flower bed near the foundation.
How do I turn off the water at the meter box?
Lift the lid of the meter box near the curb. The valve on the street side of the meter usually turns a quarter turn to close, so the tab lines up across the pipe. It may need a meter key from a hardware store. Don’t force a stuck valve; call the city or a plumber.
How do I shut off water to just one fixture?
Most toilets, sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators and washing machines have their own small shutoff valves. Turn them clockwise to close. If one won’t turn or leaks, shut off the main instead.
Sources for this page
Last updated October 2026.
Water already in the house?
Shut it off and call.