Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve. If you have a gas water heater, turn the knob to the 'pilot' position. Shut off the circuit breakers to an electric water heater.

For homes built on a slab, your water main shut-off valve is likely close to your water heater tank —check underneath it or at the top. Your house water valve should also be documented on your ...

To shut the water off, give the handle a one-quarter turn so that it is no longer in line with the pipe. In older homes, you may have what's called a gate valve instead of the yellow ball valve.

Q: I had to turn off the water supply valve at the top of my water heater. So I turned it, but it kept on turning and turning without shutting off the water. A neighbor of mine said it is a gate va ...