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Replacing shut-off valves (also known as supply valves), whether it's for a liquid or gas system, can be a simple process as long as you have the right tools and act logically and slowly. Familiarize yourself with the system you're working with and roll up your sleeves. You ready?
Steps
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Obtain a replacement valve. The valve you purchase should be an exact match to the old valve in terms of size, thread and type. [1] X Research source Remember, compression fittings and iron pipe fittings are not interchangeable. If you are not able to shut everything off and remove the valve to take it with you to the hardware store, then try to take some measurements or photos of it.
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Assemble the proper tools. [2] X Research source Supply valves under the sink typically can be removed with a crescent, open-end wrench or channel-lock pliers. Bigger valves will need a pipe wrench, as well as another wrench to hold the pipe and one to turn the valve. Proper tools will prevent you from damaging the fixtures, or causing an injury. Take the time to find them.Advertisement
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Shut off the next valve up the line. Locate the valve that is closer to the supply than the one you want to shut off. This might be the hot water heater, the house water shut-off in the house, or the main shut-off at the meter. Gas valves typically have some other shut-off in the proximity of the valve before you get to the main. Twist this valve into the off position. If you've located the right one, this should prevent water or gas from gushing out of the valve you wish to replace.
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Drain and verify the water is off. If the valve you shut off is located in a basement or first floor of a two-story house, the water above you must drain out. Most systems are not airtight enough to hold back the leftover water. Start draining the system, and wait a few minutes for everything to get out. If the water is still gushing strongly after that, you haven't turned off the valve.
- If you have a floor above you, go outside and open an outside faucet if those faucets come directly from the house. Now the water will run outside and not into your cabinet or floor.
- If you're replacing a valve on a faucet, open it up. This will help get the water out of the pipes you're working around.
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Remove the old valve. With the proper wrench, remove the valve that you're going to replace. Watch the pipe you are threading it off of and make sure the pipe doesn't twist. If it does, you need to put another wrench on the pipe.
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Apply the proper pipe joint compound to the pipe threads. [3] X Research source This will vary depending on the pipe. Ask for help at your local hardware store if you're unsure. Most valves don't require pipe compound, but you should inspect the o ring if it is a flexible line. If it is a gas flex line, a little pipe compound needs to be applied to the flare part of the fitting, just at the end of the brass fitting, above the threads.
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Install the new valve. Tighten with wrench until it is snug and in the proper location for the supply line.
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Turn the new valve off. Make sure it's twisted securely into the off position before proceeding to the next step.
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Turn off any drains. Go back to the faucets you opened to drain the system and turn them into the off position. You don't want water gushing from them as soon as you turn the water back on.
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Turn the water or gas back on.
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Check for leaks at the valve. There are different ways to do this depending on whether you're working with a liquid or gas system.
- If you're checking for water leaks, wipe the valve completely dry with a towel. Then, turn on the faucet or appliance and let it run for a few minutes. If you see new droplets of water forming on the valve, you have a leak.
- For a gas line, apply soapy water to all fittings and look for bubbles. Tighten if needed, and re-check with soapy water. Instead of soapy water, you can use a commercial compound that will check for gas leaks. These are sold at hardware stores.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI need to change my bathroom wing valve in my condo. Can I change it without shutting off the building water line?Community AnswerMaybe. You should call the condo association. There very well may be a unit shut-off that won't affect any other units. The association may also have a pre-approved plumber that MUST be used (usually they've done work in the past without issue and have been confirmed to be competitively priced, licensed, and insured).
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QuestionMy isolation valve that feeds the home looks like a tap rather than the gate valve. It appears to have gotten stuck and therefore I am unable to shut off the water. How can I loosen the shut off valve in order to carry out some work?Community AnswerCall your water utility and have them break it and replace it or get it operational. It's free (part of what you pay for) and usually can be taken care of next day, if not same day.
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QuestionI need to replace the hot water valve for my washing machine. How do I get it off to replace?SteveTop AnswererMany appliances incorporate an all-in-one piece of hardware that contains both hot and cold water valves. You'll need to determine the part needed based of the manufacturer, model, and possibly serial number. Many newer appliances use a printed circuit board that operates the valves to produce hot, warm and cold water wash/rinse cycles, and this may be the cause of the lack of water, not the valve itself. The valve will be the least-expensive part to replace. The circuit board can run into the hundreds of dollars to purchase.
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Tips
- Think ahead. Don't do this if you need water right away and the store closes in an hour. If you have the wrong size or break something else, you now have all the water shut off and you won't even be able to get a drink.Thanks
- There are several types of pipe joint compound. Make sure you have the right one for your application.Thanks
- Use the proper tools. If you're replacing the supply valve because you broke the handle by using wire cutters, go get the right tools. This is one of those simple jobs that will mess a lot of things up if you try to take short cuts.Thanks
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Safety Tips
If your going to replace a shutoff valve at your house for a gas line, here is some safety tips you must follow to avoid loss in human & property; You must isolate the main line before the Metering Gauge at your house. Then vent the trapped gas between the main shutoff valve and the damaged one or if there is any provision of a venting valve on downstream of metering gauge. (Note: If there is no provision of venting valve: When venting trapped gas make sure to vent from the downstream of the metering gauge by losing the union on the gas line before it enters the house. As we now Natural Gas is heaver than air. The venting must be to an open area or will ventilated.). Avoid any static charges occurrence, any spark ignition engine in the area or any heat source. From a safety point of view when working on gas line; It is a must to use a non-spark tools or a spark free hand tools, like cupper alloy spanners or high quality PVC spanners.
Always, understand the process of your maintenance scope of work and remember that SAFETY FIRST.
Warnings
- Gas valves are not really dangerous, but you must be careful to shut off the valve behind the one you want to replace. You can imagine what might happen if you didn't shut the valve off and then remove the one you want and go to the store to get a new valve.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Correct wrenches or pliers
- Teflon tape or pipe joint compound
- Replica of valve you are replacing
- Towels or soapy water (for checking leaks)
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about plumbing, check out our in-depth interview with David Balkan .
References
About This Article
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