Home Repair: How to Replace the Main Shut Off Valve

Stop that baste for good

Introduction

Main h2o shutoff valves tin go clogged with mineral deposits and dust, causing slow leaks. With the correct materials and correct process, it'due south a prophylactic and piece of cake repair.

Tools Required

Materials Required

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

Shutoff Replacement Procedure

If you get drips of water coming through your pipes even with the chief shutoff valve completely airtight, it's probably fourth dimension to supersede the shutoff with a new ball valve. It's non complicated, but the business firm water will exist off, so it'southward a proficient idea to get your ducks in a row before you start.

Project stride-past-step (4)

Stride i

Clogged Valve

clogged water valve

Test the "street-side" valve where the water enters the firm. Since that valve is just as erstwhile, test it to make sure information technology closes all the manner and reopens once again. Mineral deposits and tiny pieces of grit can gradually build up in an old gate valve, making it impossible to fully close.  If that valve needs replacement, contact your water utility to shut off the principal valve at the curb.

Step two

Loosen the Old Valve

loosen old water valve

Check out the electrical system "bonding jumper" that runs from a clamp on the house side of the meter to a clamp on the street side. If y'all can unscrew the old valve with the bonding jumper wire in identify, fine. If yous can't, exercise not disconnect it. The prophylactic way to work around this problem is to install a longer department of copper wire and two new clamps (6AWG for 100-amp service, 4AWG for 200-amp service). Then remove the short bonding jumper. At that betoken, y'all're prepare to close down the water and supervene upon the valve.

Shut off the street-side valve where the water enters the house. Then loosen the coupling nut and remove the nipple from the former valve. To remove the old valve, you'll have to undo the coupling on the "house side" of the water meter. At that place's unremarkably an oil-impregnated leather sealing washer inside the coupling.

Step 3

Install the New Valve

install new water valve

You probably have a iii/four-in. pipage leading to and from the leaky valve. Purchase a threaded replacement ball valve; it'due south a far improve choice than the older gate-style valve. Screw on the new ball valve, install the one-time nipple and the new leather washer (utilize 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