How do I safely turn off my home's water main?

Locate your main water shutoff valve, which is typically found near where the water line enters your home, such as in the basement, crawl space, utility room, or outside near the foundation. There are two common types: a gate valve (round wheel handle) or a ball valve (lever handle). For a gate valve, turn it clockwise until it stops, which may take several full rotations. For a ball valve, rotate the lever 90 degrees so it's perpendicular to the pipe. After shutting it off, open a faucet inside to release remaining pressure and confirm the water is off. Avoid forcing a stiff valve, as older gate valves can break if over-tightened.