Domicile Repair: How to Supervene upon the Main Close Off Valve

End that baste for skilful

Introduction

Main water shutoff valves can become clogged with mineral deposits and dust, causing slow leaks. With the right materials and correct process, it's a safe and easy repair.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • 3/4-in. ball valve
  • Leather washers

Shutoff Replacement Procedure

If yous get drips of water coming through your pipes even with the chief shutoff valve completely closed, it'southward probably fourth dimension to replace the shutoff with a new ball valve. It'due south not complicated, but the house water will be off, so it's a expert idea to get your ducks in a row before yous start.

Project pace-by-step (4)

Step 1

Clogged Valve

clogged water valve

Examination the "street-side" valve where the water enters the house. Since that valve is but as quondam, test information technology to make sure information technology closes all the way and reopens again. Mineral deposits and tiny pieces of grit can gradually build up in an old gate valve, making information technology incommunicable to fully close.  If that valve needs replacement, contact your h2o utility to shut off the main valve at the curb.

Step 2

Loosen the Onetime Valve

loosen old water valve

Check out the electric system "bonding jumper" that runs from a clamp on the house side of the meter to a clamp on the street side. If you can unscrew the old valve with the bonding jumper wire in place, fine. If you can't, do not disconnect it. The safe way to work around this problem is to install a longer section of copper wire and ii new clamps (6AWG for 100-amp service, 4AWG for 200-amp service). Then remove the short bonding jumper. At that point, y'all're set up to shut downwards the water and replace the valve.

Shut off the street-side valve where the water enters the house. So loosen the coupling nut and remove the nipple from the old valve. To remove the old valve, y'all'll accept to undo the coupling on the "house side" of the h2o meter. At that place'southward usually an oil-impregnated leather sealing washer inside the coupling.

Step three

Install the New Valve

install new water valve

You probably have a three/iv-in. pipe leading to and from the leaky valve. Purchase a threaded replacement ball valve; it's a far better choice than the older gate-way valve. Screw on the new brawl valve, install the sometime nipple and the new leather washer (apply Teflon tape or pipe dope on the threads). Tighten the coupling nut, turn on the water and check for leaks.

Originally Published: November 05, 2022