In most Phoenix single-family homes the main water shutoff is on an exterior wall near the front of the house, where the supply line enters the building. If there isn't one at the house, the curb-side shutoff lives in the meter box at the street and needs a meter key to turn.
Start with the front exterior wall
On 80% of Phoenix-area homes built since the 1990s, the main shutoff is on the front-facing exterior wall, usually within a few feet of the hose bib closest to the street. Look for a brass or PVC handle on a vertical pipe coming out of the ground. A lever-style ball valve is the modern version, a round wheel handle is the older gate valve.
Check the side of the house or a small access panel
On older Phoenix homes and some custom builds, the supply enters through the side of the house instead of the front. Walk the perimeter and look for a small painted access panel, often white, mounted flush with the stucco. The shutoff sits inside it, sometimes paired with a pressure regulator.
If you cannot find one at the house: the street meter
If the home has no exterior shutoff (common in older neighborhoods and on properties with extensive remodels), the curb-side shutoff at the meter box is your fallback. The box is a rectangular concrete or plastic lid at the property line, usually flush with the dirt or grass.
Lift the lid and look for a brass valve next to the meter dial. You will need a meter key, a long T-shaped wrench, to turn it. Every Phoenix homeowner should own one. Hardware stores Valley-wide sell them for $15 to $25.
How to test your shutoff (and why you should)
A shutoff that has not been turned in years is the shutoff most likely to fail when you need it. Once a year, when nothing is wrong, turn the valve all the way off, open a downstairs faucet, and confirm the water stops within a few seconds. Then turn the valve back on slowly.
- If the handle is stuck, do not force it. Call a plumber to replace the valve.
- If water still trickles through a downstairs faucet a minute after shutoff, the valve is no longer fully sealing.
- If you see corrosion, mineral buildup, or weeping around the valve body, plan to replace it on the next service visit.
What to do if your shutoff is broken or missing
We replace failed main shutoffs on routine service calls all over the Valley. The fix is straightforward, usually under an hour, and we will install a quarter-turn ball valve so the next time you need it, it works on the first try. If your home does not have a shutoff at all, we can add one inboard of the meter so you never have to rely on the curb stop in an emergency.