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It is a known fact that water is a precious resource. In some parts of the world, people have to walk for miles just to get their hands on a bucket of this life-sustaining liquid. And in other places, like California, water shortages are becoming an increasingly common occurrence.
What you may not know is that there’s a way you can help conserve water without making any major changes to your lifestyle – by simply turning the water off when you flush your toilet.
You may be thinking, “Why would I want to do that? Won’t the bowl just refill with water when I turn it back on?” But that’s not how it works. When you turn the water off at the valve (located behind your toilet), the bowl will gradually empty itself over 10-15 minutes.
And during that time, any waste in the bowl will be flushed away with nary a drop of water wasted. The best part is that this is an easy fix that anyone can do. So if you’re interested in conserving water, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to turn the water off to your toilet:
Why Is It Important To Turn Off Water To Toilet?
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There are a few reasons you might want to turn off the water to your toilet.
First, if you’re doing any work on the toilet itself, such as replacing the wax ring or flange, you’ll need to turn off the water to don’t flood your bathroom.
Second, if your toilet is leaking, you’ll want to off the water to avoid wasting water and damaging your floor.
Finally, if you’re going on vacation or will be away from home for an extended period, it’s a good idea to turn off the water to your toilet to prevent any leaks while you’re gone.
How To Turn Off Water To Toilet
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It’s the middle of the night and you wake up to the sound of water running. You get out of bed, slip on your slippers, and head to the bathroom, only to find that the toilet is overflowing. What do you do?
If this has ever happened to you, or if you want to be prepared in case it does, then you need to know how to turn off the water to your toilet. This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s quite simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Closing the Shutoff Valve in the Toilet Tank
- Locate the shutoff valve. It is usually located on the wall behind the toilet or under the sink.
- Turn the knob or handle clockwise to turn off the water supply.
- To remove the water from both the tank and the bowl, flush the toilet.
- Use a rag to soak up any remaining moisture in the tank and then empty it.
- Turn the knob or handle on the shutoff valve counterclockwise to completely turn off the water supply.
Closing the Main Shutoff Valve Outside
- Locate the main water shutoff valve for your home, which is usually located near the water meter or where the main water line enters your home.
- In order to switch off the water supply, turn the knob or lever on the main shutoff valve in the clockwise direction.
- Go inside and flush all toilets in your home to empty the tanks and bowls.
- Run all faucets in your home until they are empty of water.
- Turn off all appliances that use water, such as dishwashers and washing machines.
- Turn the knob or handle on the main shutoff valve counterclockwise to completely turn off the water supply.
You have now successfully turned off the water to your toilet. If you need to turn off the water to your entire home, follow the same steps as above for closing the main shutoff valve outside.
Prop Up The Float Lever
- Locate the float lever inside the toilet tank.
- Use a clothespin or similar object to prop up the float lever so that it stays in the “up” position.
- This will prevent water from entering the toilet tank when you turn the water back on.
- Turn the knob or handle on the shutoff valve clockwise to turn on the water supply.
- Check the toilet tank to make sure that water is not entering it.
- If water begins to enter the tank, turn off the water supply immediately and prop up the float lever higher.
Tips On How To Turn Off Water To Toilet
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Here are some tips to make turning off water to the toilet easy:
- Make sure you know where the main water shut-off valve is located. This is usually in the basement near the water heater.
- If you cannot find the main shut-off valve, or if it is not working, call your local plumber for assistance.
- Shut off the valve slowly to avoid damaging the pipes.
- After turning off the water supply, flush the toilet in order to empty the holding tank.
- Turn off the gas or electricity to the water heater. This will prevent the heater from coming on and causing a flood.
- If you have a septic system, be sure to pump out the tank before turning off the power.
Final Thoughts
Turning off the water to your toilet may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and a little bit of know-how, you can easily disable the flow of water to your toilet, giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is one step closer to being fully prepared for any emergency.
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us in the comment section below. As always, stay safe and prepared!

My name is Brad Hollister and I’m the founder of toiletneeds.com. I’m a professional writer and bathroom accessories expert, specializing in helping people make educated decisions about their purchases. My posts are designed to provide valuable information on all types of toilet accessories, from toilet seats to bidets and more. With my knowledge and experience, you can be sure that you’re getting the best advice when it comes to plumbing fixtures. Welcome to my blog!