Why this matters before anything breaks
When a pipe bursts, the damage is measured in minutes. A homeowner who can close the main in 60 seconds usually has a mop-up job. One who spends 20 minutes searching often has a ceiling replacement. Find your valve now, while nothing is wrong.
Where to look in a Clifton house
Basement homes. The water service usually enters through the front foundation wall, the side facing the street, because the main runs under the road. Look near the floor or a few feet up for a pipe coming through the wall, the water meter, and one or two valves on either side of the meter.
Slab homes and finished basements. The valve may be behind an access panel, in a utility closet, near the water heater, or in a garage.
Two- and multi-family buildings. There's typically one main shut-off for the building in the basement, plus separate valves for each unit. Older Botany Village, Passaic and Wallington buildings may have them in a shared basement.
Condos and townhouses. Your unit's valve is often in a utility closet, near the water heater, or under the kitchen sink.
At the curb. There's also a curb stop in a small box near the sidewalk. It's normally operated by the water utility with a special key. Don't force it.
Two kinds of valves
| Valve | How it looks | How to close | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gate valve | Round wheel handle | Turn clockwise many turns until it stops | Common in older homes; can seize or fail to seal |
| Ball valve | Straight lever | Quarter turn, lever across the pipe | Reliable; easy to tell if it's open or closed |
Step by step
- Find the valve on the house side of the meter (the side away from the wall) if there are two.
- Close it: wheel handle clockwise, lever a quarter turn.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain pressure and confirm the water is off.
- Turn off the water heater: gas to "pilot" or "off," electric at the breaker.
- If the leak continues after the water is off, it may be a drain line or roof leak, not supply.
If the main valve won't close
Older gate valves are the most common problem. They haven't been turned in years, mineral deposits lock the stem, or the internal gate has corroded so it closes but doesn't seal. If yours turns but water still flows, or won't turn at all:
- Look for a second valve on the other side of the meter.
- Shut off individual fixture valves (under sinks and behind toilets) to isolate the leak.
- Call your plumber. Replacing an old gate valve with a quarter-turn ball valve is a common, inexpensive upgrade.
Smaller shut-offs worth knowing
- Under sinks: two small valves, hot and cold.
- Behind toilets: one valve on the supply line.
- Water heater: a cold-water valve on the inlet pipe at the top.
- Washing machine: two valves behind the machine.
- Outdoor faucets: an interior valve to close and drain before winter.
If you need a new main valve or want help finding yours, see our burst pipe and leak repair service.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the main water shut-off in a Clifton house?
Usually on the basement wall that faces the street, where the water line enters, next to the meter. In slab homes and condos, check utility closets, near the water heater, or under the kitchen sink.
Which way do I turn the water shut-off valve?
Turn a round wheel handle clockwise until it stops. Turn a lever-style ball valve a quarter turn so the lever sits across the pipe, not in line with it.
What if my main shut-off valve won't turn?
Don't force it, because old gate valves can break. Look for a second valve on the other side of the meter, close fixture valves near the leak, and call a plumber. Replacing it with a ball valve is a quick job.
Can I turn off the water at the curb?
The curb stop is generally operated by the water utility with a special key. In Clifton, contact the Passaic Valley Water Commission if you need it closed.
Should I turn off the water heater when I shut off the water?
Yes. Turn a gas heater to pilot or off and switch off an electric heater's breaker. A heater running with no water coming in can be damaged.
How often should I test my main valve?
Once or twice a year, close it and reopen it to keep it from seizing. If it's an old gate valve that's stiff, consider having it replaced with a ball valve.
Do apartments have their own shut-off?
Many do, often in a closet, near the water heater, or under the kitchen sink. Ask your landlord or building manager where yours is before you need it.
Keep reading
- Previous guide: What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency? What Can Wait Until Morning
- Next guide: Burst Pipe? What to Do in the First 30 Minutes
- Need it fixed? See our burst pipe & leak repair service in Clifton.