How to turn off
your home’s water.

COMPILED 10 SEPTEMBER 2026 · GENERAL HOUSEHOLD GUIDANCE

First, make sure it is safe

Stay away from wet sockets, appliances and electrical equipment. Do not stand beneath a bulging or sagging ceiling. If you cannot safely reach the valve, leave the area and contact a plumber or your water supplier. For immediate danger to life, call emergency services.

1. Find your internal stop tap

Look near the point where the water supply enters your home. Common places include under the kitchen sink, a utility room, a downstairs cupboard or under the stairs. It often looks like a small brass tap on a pipe.

In a flat or shared building, ask your building manager which valve controls your home. Do not operate an unlabelled shared valve.

2. Close it gently

For a traditional tap-style stop valve, turn the handle clockwise until it closes. Stop if it will not move freely: forcing it can damage the valve. Other valve designs can operate differently; ask for help if you are unsure what you have found.

3. Check the flow has stopped

Briefly open the kitchen cold tap. Residual water may run before stopping. If the flow continues, the valve may not have closed fully or may control a different supply. Close the kitchen tap again and ask a plumber for help.

What if the valve is stuck or missing?

Do not use tools to force it. Contact your water supplier or a plumber for guidance. An external stop tap can affect neighbouring properties; check who it serves and your supplier’s guidance before touching it.

Make the next time easier

Once the problem is resolved, label the correct valve and show everyone in your household where it is. Keep access clear. Ask your plumber about replacing a valve that is difficult to operate.

Sources and further help

This guide draws on Bristol Water’s stop-tap guidance and WaterSafe’s guide to turning off your water. It is general information and does not replace advice for your particular plumbing system.