I am trying to shut off water to my house to replace outdoor faucets. The shutoff valves seem to only turn without closing (shutting off the water). They seem to be stripped, the same problem as the outdoor faucets. Other than having the city come shut off the water (expensive), is there anything I can do to force close the shutoff valves?
It's fairly common over time for shut-off valves to degrade to the point that then never really cut off all the water flow. Unless your city locks your water meter covers, all meters have a cut-off valve right next tot he meter. Look for a disc about the diameter of a silver dollar that has a raised bar across the middle about 1/2" thick. You can either turn this with a wrench or you can buy a meter valve 'key' from any home store for under $10 that will do the trick easily.
in my neck of the woods, we're still using the 5-sided external line shutoffs, and code still required gate valve shutoffs before the meter. and you have to have a hat rack and umbrella stand. and all bathroom doors have to have a half-moon cut in them, even inside bathrooms.
I have anything other than quarter-turn valves. this is a long-researched, carefully-grown, bileful hate.
sig: if this is a new economy, how come they still want my old-fashioned money?
Posts: 4693 | Location: North Burbs, MN | Registered: Mar 14, 2007
Very important to only use the shut off on the house side of the meter. If it wears out over time, have it replaced (I like gate valves too, one quarter turn with the handle and it is off)
If one uses the street side (before the meter shut off)and it eventually fails (assuming the after meter shutoff also failed), I know of no other way than to have the city or plumber dig down and shut it off at the street. Something to avoid for sure, but probably necessary if this is your situation.
Sorry if I was wrong. Aren't the bar type of valves gate valves? Not the round screw type but the straight bar that one turns a quarter round for both on and off? Just looked it up...what are they called?This message has been edited. Last edited by: Conrad,
Originally posted by Conrad: Very important to only use the shut off on the house side of the meter. If it wears out over time, have it replaced (I like gate valves too, one quarter turn with the handle and it is off)
If one uses the street side (before the meter shut off)and it eventually fails (assuming the after meter shutoff also failed), I know of no other way than to have the city or plumber dig down and shut it off at the street. Something to avoid for sure, but probably necessary if this is your situation.
Reread your post. You say you like gate valves then suggest using a ball valve. Gate valves by design are not the best thing for a shut off, the stems leak, the sealing surface in the bottom of the valve tends to fill up with trash, the gates stick and you end up ringing the shaft off trying to get it to move.
joecaption
Posts: 17737 | Location: Hartfield VA | Registered: Jan 31, 2004
Thanks, I guess I really meant Ball Valves. I have been referring to them incorrectly. Thanks for the correction and clarification. Also had Ball Valves installed on the clothes washer lines. Much easier to shut off.
