The entry in brief
Mississauga houses nearly always keep it downstairs on the street-side wall, a hand's width from the meter. Condo suites tuck theirs inside the unit behind a hatch or in the mechanical cupboard.
Where to look in a house
- Near the water meter, on the front basement wall.
- In a furnace or laundry room, low on the wall.
- Behind a removable panel in a finished basement.
- Under the stairs, if the meter is there.
Types of valve
Older homes often have a round-handled gate valve that takes several turns to close. Newer homes and recent updates use a lever-handled ball valve that shuts in a single quarter swing. Both shut the water off; the ball valve is quicker and more reliable.
Test it now
- Close the valve slowly.
- Open a tap on the main floor and confirm the flow stops.
- Reopen the valve slowly to avoid a pressure surge.
- Check the valve stem for drips once it is open.
Label it
Tie a bright label to the handle and show each person at home where it lives. In an emergency, a few seconds matter. Our burst pipe guide explains what to do after you close it.
What callers want to know
Is there a shut-off outside?
There is a city valve near the property line, but it is for the Region's use. Use the inside valve.
What if my main valve will not close?
Call a plumber; replacing a faulty main shut-off is a routine job.