Grab a flashlight. Get on your hands and knees. This is a yoga pose called “The Terrified Homeowner.” You are searching for the valves.
They look like tiny metal mushrooms growing out of the wall. One is for hot water. One is for cold. They usually have a little red or blue handle. Red is hot. Blue is cold. You want both off.
Sometimes the handles are made of plastic. Sometimes they are oval. Sometimes they are straight. Don’t judge them. Just find them.
The Golden Rule: Righty-Tighty, Lefty-Loosey
This is the magic chant. Clockwise is off. Counter-clockwise is on. You turn it to the right to stop the water. It feels like tightening a jar lid.
But wait! Is the handle stuck? Is it rusted? Do not panic. Never, ever force it. If you use a wrench, you might snap the pipe. That’s a very expensive mistake. That’s a call to a plumber with a bill for a new car payment.
If it’s stuck, try a little gentle persuasion. A squirt of WD-40 is your friend. Wait five minutes. Then try again with your hand. If it still won’t move, you stop. You call for backup. This is not a failure; this is intelligence.
