Two valves, two different jobs
Most homes have two places where water can be turned off. The first is at the meter, which sits in a concrete or plastic box set into the ground, usually near the front sidewalk, curb or parkway strip. The second is the house main shutoff, where the service line comes up out of the ground before it feeds the interior plumbing.
The difference matters during a leak. The house shutoff stops water flowing into the home, but it does nothing for a leak on the buried pipe between the meter and the house. Only a valve at or before the meter can stop that, and in Fullerton the meter belongs to the city's water utility.
How to locate each one
Do this on a calm day, not in the middle of a leak. Take a flashlight and your phone for photos.
- Find the meter box.Walk the front of the property near the sidewalk and driveway apron. Look for a rectangular or round lid, often marked WATER. Lawn or ground cover may have grown over it.
- Open the lid carefully.Use a screwdriver or lid key to lift it. Watch for spiders, standing water and sharp edges. Do not reach in blindly.
- Identify the meter face.Wipe the glass or lift the cover and note the dial, the reading and the small leak indicator. Take a photo for future comparison.
- Trace toward the house.The service line usually runs fairly straight from the meter toward the front of the house. Follow that direction to the nearest exterior wall.
- Find the house shutoff.In many Fullerton tract homes it is on an outside wall near a front hose bib: a valve on a vertical pipe rising from the ground. Some homes have it in a garage or utility closet instead.
- Label and photograph it.Tag the valve, note whether it is a lever (quarter-turn) or a round wheel handle, and share the location with everyone in the household.
Which valve stops what
| Valve | Usually found | Stops water to | Who operates it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meter valve | Inside the meter box | The entire service line and house | Generally the city's water utility; ask before touching it |
| House main shutoff | Outside wall, garage or closet | Everything inside the house | The homeowner |
| Fixture stops | Under sinks, behind toilets | One fixture | The homeowner |
| Irrigation valve | Near the backflow device or control box | Sprinkler system | The homeowner |
Shutoff readiness checklist
When the shutoff itself is the problem
A house shutoff that drips at the stem, will not close fully or is too stiff to turn is worth mentioning to a plumber. Many water line replacements include a new main shutoff at the house connection, and some homeowners replace the valve on its own when it no longer works reliably.
Common questions
Can I turn off the water at the meter myself?
The meter and its valve generally belong to the City of Fullerton's water utility. Ask the city how it wants shutoffs at the meter handled before you try it, and never force a stuck valve.
What if I cannot find my house shutoff?
Check outside walls near hose bibs, the garage and any utility closet near where the line enters. If you still cannot find it, a plumber can locate it and suggest adding an accessible valve.
Why does the house shutoff not stop my leak?
If water keeps flowing with the house shutoff closed, the leak is probably on the service line between the meter and the house. That section needs the meter side shut off.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.