These are helpful recommendations to people to stop the "WATER" when a pipe, hose or faucet "BREAKS" and starts spraying everywhere.
The first thing to do is remain calm. Now if you are at a toilet or sink, look down low at the bottom of the back wall to find the small angle stop shut off valve. The toilet has one and the sinks have two. When you find it turn it to the right all the way. If it is frozen, run to the front of the house outside and look for the shut off to the entire house.
The fastest way to locate the main shut off is to glance at the front face of the house. If you still can't find it, go to the sidewalk and find the water meter box that has a metal lid in the center. Open the lid and see if there is a valve with a handle. If so turn it off. If not, stand straight up from the meter and look at the house.
The water main is usually a straight shot from the meter to the house. Now walk with open view to the house and create a straight imaginable line to the face of the house. The valve will rise out of the ground and usually has a garden hose close by as well.
If you still can't find it, chances are that it is in the garage, or buried for some reason. In this case you will need a meter key to turn off the main at the meter box that you already have located. Some neighbors have their own key.
Sometimes a 12-inch crescent or adjustable wrench will work. If you have to turn it a quarter turn until it is across the pipe. Now some meters have to be turned a couple of turns to turn off the water. Good Luck and I hope this helped you.
