Step 1 · Shut Off Water Supply

The first and most critical step is to completely shut off the water to your entire home. Locate the main water shutoff valve, typically found in the basement, a crawl space, or near the water meter. Turn the handle clockwise until it is fully closed. To ensure the lines are depressurized and drained, open the faucet at the highest point in your house (like an upstairs bathroom) and the lowest point (like a basement sink or outdoor spigot) to let all the water drain out.