How do I shut off the water to my house?
Turn the main house shutoff valve clockwise until it stops. In most Cibolo homes it's in the garage, on an outside wall near where the line enters, or in a box in the yard between the meter and the house. If you can't find or close it, the curb meter box has a valve that stops all water to the property.
Take five minutes this week to find yours. Label it, and show everyone in the house how it works. In a real burst pipe, every minute adds gallons to the cleanup.
Where are the shutoff valves?
| Valve | Where to look | What it stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Curb meter valve | Inside the meter box near the street | All water to the property |
| 2. House shutoff | Yard box near the house, or where the line enters | All water to the house; irrigation may stay on |
| 3. Garage or utility valve | Garage wall, near the water heater or softener | Often the whole house, or the softener loop |
| 4. Fixture valves | Under sinks, behind toilets, behind the washer | One fixture only |
Many newer homes in Cibolo have the main shutoff on the wall in the garage, near the water heater. Older homes more often have it in a small box in the front yard. If the irrigation system has its own valve near the backflow device, closing the house shutoff may not stop the sprinklers.
How to shut off the water, step by step
- Find the right valve. If only one fixture leaks, use its own valve first.
- Turn it clockwise. A round handle turns clockwise until it stops. A lever handle turns a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.
- Don't force a stuck valve. Old gate valves can break. If it won't turn, move to the next valve out.
- Open a low faucet. Opening an outdoor hose bib or a tub faucet drains pressure from the pipes.
- Turn off the water heater. Switch an electric heater off at the breaker, or set a gas heater to pilot, if the water will be off for long.
Can I use the valve at the water meter?
In an emergency, yes. The curb valve in the meter box usually needs a meter key or a large adjustable wrench. Turn it a quarter turn so the tab sits across the pipe. Be careful of insects and snakes in the box. The meter belongs to the utility, so don't remove or tamper with it. If water is leaking at the meter itself, call City of Cibolo Utility Services.
What to do after the water is off
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of wet areas
- Photograph the damage and the meter reading for insurance
- Start drying: fans, a wet vac, open cabinets
- Don't turn the water back on until the leak is fixed or isolated
Practice before you need it
Once a year, close the main shutoff, check that no faucet runs, then open it again slowly. Valves that sit untouched for years can seize. If yours is stiff, leaks at the stem or won't fully close, have a plumber replace it with a quarter-turn ball valve. It's a small job that makes a big difference in an emergency.
If you can't see where the water is coming from, the leak may be hidden in a wall, under the slab or in the yard line. That's when professional leak detection in Cibolo, TX helps. Our guide on how to find a hidden water leak covers the meter test you can do first.