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+--- Thread: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve (/showthread.php?tid=107009)
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Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - space-time - 11-21-2010
The shutoff valve started leaking slowly overnight (I had a paper towel there, found it wet this morning, no water under the counter). I am going to try to open and close it again, maybe tighten the nut a bit, to see if I can stop the leak. If I cannot stop the leak and I have to replace it, how do I proceed?
This is the hot water line, and the electric hot water tank is upstairs. I assume if I shut off the cold water valve coming into the heater tank, that water will stay in the tank. There is no valve on the exit (hot) water line. It's a 40 gallon tank BTW.
But there will still be plenty of water in the pipes. I can open the faucet and let most of the water out, but there will still be some water in the pipes. When I open the shut off valve, this water is going to come out, and it's gonna be very
I wonder if I can hook up a compressed air line to the shut off valve and open the faucet in the bathroom and blow out all the water from the pipes? would that work, or that's a no-no?
or how else to make sure the pipe is empty before I remove the valve?
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - btfc - 11-21-2010
"I assume if I shut off the cold water valve coming into the heater tank, that water will stay in the tank"
Not necessarily a safe assumption, it might siphon out. I've used compressed air to blow out pipes for winterizing.
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - artie67 - 11-22-2010
Where is the shut off valve? Under a sink? Plumbers call those "angle stops". Lingo for the store helps. Always take them or it to the store to match.
Turn off the valve at the heater and then open the valves downstairs. A bucket under the valve for replacement is always a good idea. I always take out the screen from the faucet for a day or so due to the breaking loose of the rust and lime in the pipes after doing repairs.
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - GGD - 11-22-2010
Open up some faucets upstairs too, to let water out and air in.
If there's a basement, open faucets there too.
You've got a 30" hose attached to it now, after you get all you can out of the sink faucet, shut off the valve, disconnect the hose from the faucet, and put it into a bucket, then open the valve again.
If the hose can reach outside of the cabinet even better, and try to get it lower than the valve to siphon off as much as you can.
Purge the air out as you turn the water back on.
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - Ted King - 11-22-2010
Also a good idea to check for hot water recirculators - little electric pumps that circulate hot water through the hot water lines so that you get hot water from the taps quicker when you turn on a hot water tap. If you have them, they should be unplugged before shutting off the water.
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - testcase - 11-22-2010
Is there a "Bonnet" nut that needs to be tightened? If so, that might be all you need to do.
Guaranteed there will be some mess if / when you remove the valve. The more prepared you are, the less mess there'll be.
If you do replace the valve, replace it with a Quarter Turn valve.
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - space-time - 11-22-2010
there is no basement. Putting a bucket/pan under the shutoff valve is not an option... not enough space.
Good idea, I can use the 30" hose to drain some water in a pan placed on the kitchen floor, which should be 6" or so below the valve level
same picture as posted on Friday night
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - space-time - 11-22-2010
"Purge the air out as you turn the water back on."
what exactly do you mean? I know how to bleed the brake lines on a car, but how do I do this on the water lines?
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - space-time - 11-22-2010
"If you do replace the valve, replace it with a Quarter Turn valve."
yes, I got 2 1/4 turn valves. it's the hot water line (the one one the right), and the dishwasher also feeds from that line. I figured if I drain the line and replace one valve, I might as well replace the other one as well.
Interesting, Home Depot had multiturn va,lves for 6.27 and 1/4 turn for 7.27
Lowes had only 1/4 turn for ~5.68. They didn't even carry multi-turn in my local store. I wonder why. Are multiturn outdated? prone to leaks?
EDIT: Found this online, seems line 1/4 turn is the only way to go.
http://www.oxpec.com/toilet-plumbing/is-it-better-to-use-a-multi-turn-valve-for-wall-to-toilet-plumbing-or-a-14-turn-valve
Without a doubt the 1/4 turn ball valves are much better…#1 they give full flow through the valve wheras the regular valves restrict flow…#2..ball valves do not dry out with age,the regular valves tend to drip after you close and then reopen them when they are older….#3..you can see when they are open or closed…#4..they are usually of better quality…#5..if you need to turn them off if you have a problem it’s fast and simple…I like to use the solderless compression models as they don’t get damaged by heat when installing and should you need to remove the valve for replacement or other reason all you need to do is undo it…no fuss no mess…
Re: Plumbing question of the day: replacing a shutoff valve - GGD - 11-22-2010
You should probably turn off the water heater too in case it drains of water, so you don't try to heat air.