I want to add shut-off valves to my shower/tub pipes. I have access to the hot and cold galvanized pipes through a cut- out in a closet. I currently have to shut off the water to the whole house to service the shower. What is the best way to cut into these galvanized lines and install shutoffs? I really don't have faith in my soldering skills, so copper is not an option. Thanks.

Does your galvanized pipe have any unions where you could disconnect from the tub? This could be a real pain in the rear project, is there any issue now which causes you to need shut offs?

No unions. Just a long run of galvanized pipe. I figure I will have to cut each pipe, remove each cut half and calculate the overall length. Then make up that distance using smaller threaded pieces of pipe, a couple unions and the shutoff valves themselves. Its just that I like to clean out the mineral deposits from time to time and I dislike having to shut off all the water to the house.

Can you post a pic of what you have to work with? Im assuming you have a threaded joint not only at the valve, but also below the valve that is accessible? So you want to cut the pipe, unthread the upper and lower portion, and adapt in a union and valve. If so, sounds like you have a good handle on the situation. I would suggest using brass fittings and pipe for the new install. Or, it would make it awefull easy to adapt to pex tubing with sharkbite fittings. No need for unions here. You would need four MIPxShark fittings, and two shark ball valves, and some pex pipe. Once the old galve is unthreaded from the fittings, teflon or pipe dope the male threads of the shark fittings then tighten them into the fittings that the old galve came out of. Then simply cut the correct lengths of pex and push them into the shark side of the adapters and ball valve. Only thing with this, is you need to make sure the faucet body is properly anchored, as the old galve piping may have been the main anchor for the faucet.

Really good info mygirlsdad77. I have always wondered about pex pipe & those shark fittings. I would love to repipe my whole house with pex and since my house sits on a 3ft. Crawl space, so it wouldn't be too hard. The valve is screwed to the 2x4's and thus supports itself, but to be honest I had to double check thanks to you!

Just an FYI, Angelsfann, but I wouldn't recommend this project for any homeowner, not even a DIY'er, as cutting galvanized pipe and working with it can be very tricky... could even cause a break in a pipe under the floor somewhere and that is NOT something you'll want to be searching around for or dealing with... I promise!

If this was me, I would probably install a new BALL VALVE type shutoff at the main water supply and then, in the future, when needed, it will be super easy to shut off the water supply to the whole house.

Just my thoughts, OK?

Mark

Thanks for the info. I will let you guys know how it goes.

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Originally Posted by angelsfann02

I figure I will have to cut each pipe, remove each cut half and calculate the overall length.

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Just remember to put a wrench on the fitting before turning the pieces out, sure don't want to break something. Good luck, should be a good project.

I echo Mark's comments 100%. Thank you. Milo

Hi all. I agree this could turn into a nightmare. But hey, without knowing what they have to work with, and their skills, it may work out just fine. All depends on what kind of shape the pipe is in, mostly the threaded portions.

Angels. If you decide to try this yourself, just be prepared for the work case, okay? Have a plumbers number handy, and hope they can get there if needed. If you don't feel comfy taking this on, maybe call them instead. The good part is you have a 3ft crawl, so if something does go wrong, you can access the pipes from below and convert to pex, etc. Good luck, and Im looking forward to an update from you. Take care.