Where to look
In most single-story Garden Grove homes, the house shutoff sits on the supply line where it comes out of the ground and enters the house. Look along the front wall near a hose bib, on a side wall facing the street, or inside the garage if the line enters there. It is usually a round wheel handle on older homes or a lever on a newer ball valve.
The second valve is at the water meter, usually in a concrete box near the curb or sidewalk. The City of Garden Grove runs its own water utility, and the meter and the pipe on the street side belong to that system. Your side starts after the meter.
Valve types you may find
| Valve | How to close | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gate valve (round wheel) | Turn clockwise many times until it stops | Common in older homes; can seize or fail to seal fully |
| Ball valve (lever) | Quarter turn so the lever crosses the pipe | Quick and reliable; easy to see open or closed |
| Meter valve | Quarter turn with a meter key or wrench | In the curb box; use it if the house valve fails |
Test it before you need it
Find and clear it
Trim plants, remove stored items and make sure you can reach the valve without tools if possible.
Close it gently
Turn slowly. Do not force a stiff old handle; a broken stem in an emergency is worse than a stiff one.
Check a faucet
Open an indoor tap. Flow should stop within a few seconds once pressure drains.
Reopen slowly
Open the valve gradually to avoid a pressure surge, then run a few taps to clear air.
Label it
Hang a tag on it and tell everyone in the house where it is.
Keep these near the valve
- An adjustable wrench or meter key for the curb valve
- A flashlight
- A note of the water heater shutoff and breaker location
- Towels and a bucket
Terms you may hear
- Main shutoff
- The valve that stops water to the whole house.
- Curb stop or meter valve
- The valve at the water meter, usually on the utility side.
- Angle stop
- A small shutoff under a sink or behind a toilet that controls one fixture.
- Pressure regulator
- A bell-shaped valve on some supply lines that limits water pressure into the house.
Common questions
Can I turn off the meter valve myself?
In an emergency, many homeowners do. If you are unsure or it will not turn, contact the City of Garden Grove's water utility.
What if my house has no shutoff valve?
Some older homes have one that is buried or hidden. A plumber can locate it or install an accessible one.
Should I replace an old gate valve?
If it sticks or does not seal, replacing it with a ball valve is a common, worthwhile upgrade.
General information for Garden Grove, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.