Where should I look?
Start in the basement on the street-facing wall. The main line enters through the foundation there, and the shutoff is typically within a few feet of that entry point, near the meter.
Common locations in central Iowa homes
- Basement, on the interior of the wall facing the street, near the water meter
- A utility or mechanical room, alongside the water heater and furnace
- In a crawlspace near where the supply line enters
- Slab-on-grade homes: in a garage, utility closet, or near the water heater
- Outside at the curb stop, in a covered box at the property line — usually the utility's to operate
What kind of valve will I find?
You will see one of two. A ball valve has a straight lever handle: a quarter turn so the handle sits perpendicular to the pipe closes it. These are reliable and quick, which is why they are standard on newer installations.
A gate valve has a round wheel handle and needs several full turns clockwise to close. Gate valves are common in older Des Moines homes and are the ones prone to seizing or failing to seal completely after years untouched. If yours is a gate valve that will not turn easily, that is worth replacing before an emergency, not during one.
What do I do in an actual emergency?
Order matters when water is spreading.
The sequence
- 1. Shut off the water — the fixture's own valve if the leak is local, the main if not or if you are unsure.
- 2. If water is near electrical panels, outlets, or appliances, cut power to that area at the breaker.
- 3. Open a low faucet, such as a basement utility sink, to drain remaining pressure from the lines.
- 4. For a leaking water heater, also shut off its gas or its breaker.
- 5. Photograph the damage before cleanup — insurers ask.
- 6. Then call. We answer 24 hours a day, with no after-hours fees for Savings Plan members.
What should I check today?
Take five minutes and do three things. Locate the main shutoff and make sure the path to it is clear — not behind storage boxes. Turn it fully off and back on to confirm it operates and to keep it from seizing. And show everyone in the household where it is, because the person home during a burst pipe may not be you.
While you are at it, check the individual shutoffs under sinks and behind toilets. Those let you isolate one fixture without shutting off water to the whole house, and they seize just as readily.
Frequently asked questions
My shutoff valve won't turn. What now?
Do not force it — a valve body cracked by force turns a contained problem into an active leak. Old gate valves seize from mineral deposits and corrosion. Have it replaced proactively; it is a modest job compared to what a stuck valve costs during a burst pipe, and modern ball valves are far more dependable.
Should I shut off the water when I travel?
For trips longer than a few days, it is genuinely worth it — supply line failures at washing machines, toilets, and water heaters are among the most common sources of major home water damage, and they run unnoticed for days. In winter, keep the heat on at 55°F or above even with the water off.
What if the leak is between the street and my house?
The service line from the main to your home is typically the homeowner's responsibility from the curb stop inward, though details vary by municipality. Signs include an unexplained jump in your water bill, a persistently soggy patch in the yard, or dropping pressure. Call your water utility to confirm the boundary, then a plumber for the portion that is yours.
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