How to Shut Off the Main Water Valve in a Plumbing Emergency
To shut off your home's main water valve in La Mirada: find the valve (usually outside near the front of the house, by the hose bib, or at the meter on the curb), turn the lever 90° or the round handle clockwise until tight. Water stops in seconds.
If a pipe bursts, every minute floods 5-10 gallons. Shutting off the water main is the most important thing you can do before a plumber arrives.
Step 1: Find your home's main shutoff
In La Mirada homes, it's usually one of these:
- Outside the front of the house, near the hose bib, in a green or beige plastic box at ground level
- In the garage, on the wall where the water line enters
- At the curb, in a concrete or metal box marked "water". Needs a meter key (or use a long flathead screwdriver)
Step 2: Turn it off
- Lever-style: turn 90° so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe
- Round handle: turn clockwise until it stops
- Curb meter: turn the rectangular brass tab so the slot is across the line
Step 3: Open a faucet to drain pressure
Open the lowest faucet in the house and let the line drain for 30 seconds. This stops dripping into your damaged pipe.
Step 4: Call us
We're 24/7. Most La Mirada calls see us within 60 minutes.
Pro tip: do this before the emergency
Walk outside today. Find your shutoff. Test it. If it's stuck or hard to turn, call us. We'll replace the valve so you don't fight it during a flood.