I was recently trying to replace the washer shut-off valve and went to close the nearby hot and cold water shut-off valves in the basement so that I could sweat the pipes. Every valve I tried turning off, water kept trickling through. I figured those would have to be repaired/replaced as well, so I went to turn off the main shut-off valve. Same problem. When I tried turning off the main shut-off valve, water would spray/drip from the valve itself as well. Since I can't sweat any other pipes in the house until I turn off water from the main valve, how to I fix the main valve? It is located located just under/before the water meter which is in my basement. I haven't seen any shut-off valves from the street. Thanks!


Laura

Hi Laura,

By code the city is required to install a shut off valve just before the water meter. This is there inb case they have to repair/change out your mete they won't have to shut down the entire street. If it's not there request them to install one. Then fix/replace washers on all faulty shut offs before you attempt to solder. Regards, Tom

Hi Tom,

As I mentioned in my first post, the shut off valve is already there, before the meter, however, both the meter and the valve are IN the basement. Do you think this is the water company's responsibily to replace or fix the shut-off valve?

THANKS!

Laura, Anything from the meter on back is the citys responsibility. It's their valve, they should repair it and make it so it's workable. Regards, tom

Good.. I'm going to call the city about my valve. Its fine until you try to close it then it leaks a bit. I have a very rough basement so I don't mind so much, but hey, if its fixed then all the better.

I'll let you know my experience with this after it is done...

Knucklez

***UPDATE***

I called the city water company... apparently the valve is my responsibility even though it is located before the water meter.

I was speaking with someone from Home Depot and he suggested an idea... since I can slow the water down significantly after the main shut off valve when I open the water spigot just beyond it, I may be able to install a compression shut-off valve as a secondary main shut off. This will be a wet job, but is do-able, esp. compared to sweating a new shut-off valve. Does anyone have any opinions on using a compression valve as my main shut-off? I've never used this type of valve in the past and am unsure of its reliability.

Thanks!

Laura

[grinz]
If you try to hot repair this valve yourself I want to see the video.

Raincoat. Send me the video - YouTube grammys.