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us Home & property emergencies shower won’t turn off • tub won’t turn off • faucet won’t stop running • stuck shower handle • diverter valve failed • diverter stuck on shower • tub spout diverter stuck • mixer valve stuck open • shower keeps running • water won’t stop in bathroom • emergency shut off water • find main water shutoff • shutoff valve under sink • apartment maintenance emergency • bathroom flooding risk • overflow risk bathtub • runaway water flow • leaking shower valve • water damage prevention

What to do if…
your shower or tub won’t stop running because the tap or diverter has failed

Short answer

Shut off the water at the closest valve you can reach (fixture shutoffs first, then the home’s main shutoff). Once the flow is stopped (or if you can’t stop it quickly), contact building maintenance/your landlord or a licensed plumber.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t “just let it run” — it can overflow and cause rapid damage.
  • Don’t use extreme force or long tools on a stuck valve; if it won’t turn reasonably, escalate to maintenance/plumber/utility help.
  • Don’t take the faucet/shower apart while water is still on or while you’re standing in pooled water.
  • Don’t use electrical devices near standing water (chargers, hairdryers, extension cords).
  • Don’t stay under very hot running water — step away and focus on shutting off safely.

What to do now

  1. Make the bathroom safer immediately.
    Aim the shower head into the tub and close the curtain/door to contain splash. Clear slip hazards. Keep kids/pets out.
  2. Try to shut it off at the fixture supply (fastest).
    Look for hot and cold shutoff valves serving the tub/shower (behind an access panel, in a nearby closet, basement/crawlspace below, or on the opposite side of the wall). Turn clockwise to close.
  3. If you can’t find fixture shutoffs, shut off the home’s main water.
    Common locations: near where the water line enters the home, near the water heater, in a basement/garage/utility area, or at the water meter.
    • Wheel/gate valve: turn clockwise (may take many turns).
    • Lever/ball valve: turn 90° so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.
      If it’s stuck, don’t force it — move to step 6 and escalate.
  4. Relieve pressure and confirm the flow is stopping.
    After shutting off the supply, open a lowest-level faucet briefly to relieve pressure. Expect a short burst/residual trickle from the shower/tub as pipes drain.
  5. If hot water was running for a while, reduce scald and heater risk (only if you’re confident).
    If the water was very hot and ran for a while before you got it off, you can consider turning the water heater down/off to reduce scald risk when the system is restored. If you’re not sure how your unit works, skip this and tell maintenance/plumber what happened.
  6. Contact the right help right away.
    • Apartment/condo: call building maintenance/management or your landlord and say: “Tub/shower won’t shut off; water is shut off at [fixture/main] (or valve is stuck).”
    • House/owner: call a licensed plumber (after-hours/emergency if needed).
      If you cannot stop the flow and it’s causing active flooding, contact your water utility for guidance on emergency shutoff at the meter (some jurisdictions require specific tools/access rules).
  7. Limit damage while you wait.
    Use towels/buckets to prevent overflow. If water is reaching light fixtures, outlets, or a ceiling below, keep people out of that area and avoid interacting with electrical switches/breakers while standing on wet floors.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to identify the exact failed part (cartridge, diverter, handle, mixing valve) right now.
  • You don’t need to shop for replacement fixtures or compare quotes until the water is stopped.
  • You don’t need to do a deep cleanup first — stabilize, then dry/ventilate when safe.

Important reassurance

This kind of failure is common and usually straightforward to repair once the water is isolated. Getting the flow stopped is the most important step, and you can do that even if you don’t know what part failed.

Scope note

These are first steps to stop the water and prevent immediate harm/damage. Repairs can require access panels, replacement parts, and careful handling of corroded valves.

Important note

This is general information, not professional plumbing, gas, or electrical advice. If you can’t safely shut off the water, or water is affecting electrical systems or another unit, treat it as urgent and get professional help immediately.

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