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Lucrosus · Mar 18, 2009, 10:09 AM

I just found out today that the shut-off valve to our hot water in the kitchen no longer works. We've had for days low hot water pressure from the kitchen faucet only. All other faucets run fine.

As a result, my wife and I are trying to get the valve off. The water has been turned off at the water heater and pressure has been relieved through another faucet. I've removed the top nut and it's on the rubber/plastic hose leading up to the faucet. I've "popped" loose the lower nut and have been turning and turning the entire valve on top of the copper pipe for at least 15 minutes. It doesn't look like it's going anywhere.

Any help would be appreciated. We have a big, big family and not having hot water in the kitchen is very bad thing.

Thanks!
Lucrosus.

letmetellu · Mar 18, 2009, 12:16 PM

The "bottom" nut is used to tighten against a ferrel, so if you continue to unscrew the nut it will eventually slip down the pipe. Now the cutoff should slip of the pipe. To install the new cutoff, unscrew the big nut off it and do not use it use the one that is left on the pipe you took the old valve off. It is also wise to use some "Rector seal" on the ferrel that is on the pipe. Tighten with a wrench but be sure to hold a back up on the valve.

Milo Dolezal · Mar 18, 2009, 12:36 PM

Looks like the valve is spinning on copper pipe. You need to use 2 wrenches: on on the valve and the other on the nut closest to the wall. Spin valve clockwise while holding the other still. Once you break the grip, it will unscrew by hand...

Lucrosus · Mar 19, 2009, 08:05 PM

Thanks for the help! I didn't get to post before I had to go to work yesterday. We did what both of you said (looked at an disassembled valve on doityourself.com); used two wrenches, used the nut from the old valve :)

The problem with the old valve was that the valve stem had gotten stuck some how and stopped working. We took the insides of the new valve and just put them inside the old one. Couldn't use the new one because it was the screw-on type and the old one was a "pop-on" type. So far as of this post, the valve works just fine.

If there is anything we should know ("should have not done that", "better replace the entire valve", etc), please let us know.

Thanks!
Lucrosus

Milo Dolezal · Mar 19, 2009, 08:13 PM

Great ! Congratulations ! You are a bit lucky that the insides from new valve fitted into the old one. Monitor your installation for leaks for next few days. But, if it holds now, chances are that your installation was successful.

Stop by next time when in need of help !