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How to Find and Shut Off Your Water Main in Delaware
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- IICRC S500 standards
- Homes & businesses
Every homeowner has one skill that matters more than all the others at 2 a.m.: knowing where the water shuts off. If a pipe is already spraying, skip straight to the bold box below. If you are reading this on a calm day, congratulations, you are about to save yourself thousands.
EMERGENCY SHUTOFF: Look in your basement or crawl space on the wall facing the street. Find a valve on the incoming water pipe. Gate valve: round handle, turn clockwise until tight. Ball valve: lever handle, turn perpendicular to the pipe. If you cannot find it, call your water utility for emergency meter shutoff.
Can’t find it? Call (302) 400-8531. We’ll talk you through the shutoff while a crew is dispatched.
(302) 400-8531Where the Main Shutoff Usually Is
Delaware homes typically have the main shutoff where the supply line enters the building, often in the basement or crawl space on the street-facing wall.
Older Wilmington and New Castle homes
may have the valve in a utility pit near the meter, or at a basement entry point that has been boxed in.
Newer Middletown, Townsend and Bear homes
usually have an accessible ball valve near the water meter in the mechanical room.
Homes with private wells (Hockessin, Yorklyn and rural areas)
shut off the well pump at the electrical panel or circuit breaker. Also locate the valve at the pressure tank.
Slab homes
shutoff may be in a utility closet, garage or near the water heater.
Gate Valve vs Ball Valve
| Valve Type | Handle | How to Close |
|---|---|---|
| Gate valve | Round wheel | Turn clockwise until it stops. May need several full turns. |
| Ball valve | Lever | Turn a quarter turn so lever is perpendicular to pipe. |
Test Your Valve Now
Find the valve and label it with a tag
Close it slowly and open a faucet to confirm water stops
Reopen it and check for leaks
If it is stuck or leaking, call a plumber to replace it before an emergency
Other Shutoffs You Should Know
- Individual fixture shutoffs under sinks and behind toilets
- Water heater cold-water inlet valve
- Washing machine supply valves
- Outdoor hose bib shutoff valves
- Irrigation system shutoff
What to Do After Shutting Off the Water
Turn off electricity to affected areas if it is safe
Open the lowest faucet to drain the system
Photograph the damage
Call a restoration company and your insurer
Related Pages
FAQ
Water Main FAQs
What if my shutoff valve will not turn?
Do not force it with tools that could break the valve. Call your water utility for a meter shutoff and a plumber for repair.
Who shuts off water at the street?
Your water utility controls the curb stop. Contact them for emergency shutoff.
Should I shut off water when I travel?
For extended vacations or vacant properties, shutting off the main is a good protective step.
Does shutting off the main affect my water heater?
Turn off the water heater too if the main is off for an extended period, so the tank does not heat without refill.
Is it worth replacing an old gate valve?
Often yes. Gate valves can seize or fail. Ball valves are more reliable in an emergency.
24/7 Emergency Line
Get Emergency Water Damage Restoration in New Castle County Call Now
Water damage does not wait, and every hour of delay increases the cost and complexity of restoration. Whether you are standing in a flooded basement right now, watching water spread from a burst pipe, or you have discovered signs of hidden water damage, the next step is the same: call Delaware Water Damage Pros for immediate emergency response.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. No answering services. No appointment scheduling. Direct dispatch to your property.
Request Emergency Service
Or fill out our emergency contact form and a team member will call you back within minutes.