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sunsplash280 · Jul 30, 2011, 04:40 PM

I am trying to install a new kitchen faucet and the cold water valve under kitchen sink barely turns and then it gets stuck and water is still on. Hot water valve turns about 2 and a half turns and shuts completely off. How do I get the stem behind faucet handle to turn?

massplumber2008 · Jul 30, 2011, 05:06 PM

Hi Sunsplash...

How old is your house? Do you have access to your water meter or pump system shutoff?

If you have a house that isn't too old (built in the 80s on) then you can probably just shut off the cold water supply to the whole house.

Here, you may want to consider installing new shutoffs at the sink, but if you just want to be done with this, shut off the main water supply, drain pipes and install the new faucet.

After you are finished installing the new faucet, remove the aerator from the faucet and then turn the water supply back on. Purge the air through the lines until water flows clear/clean and then reinstall the aerator and test your work.

If any packing nuts (nuts behind shutoff handles) leak after messing with the shutoffs (turning on/off) then take one pair of pliers and hold the body of the shutoff while taking another pair of pliers and tightening the packing nut an 1/8th turn or so... should stop any drips. DO NOT over tighten the packing nuts and be super careful if you mess with the main water shutoff... usually best left to a pro here.

Purge the rest of the faucets in the house and you should be all set... ;)

Good luck!

Mark

sunsplash280 · Jul 31, 2011, 06:18 PM

I live in an apartment so I do not have access to the main water shut off valve. I just want to turn cold water off in the kitchen for a few minutes. I am able to turn off all other valves in 2 bathroom sinks and toilets. The only one that won't is under kitchen sink, the one I need.

sunsplash280 · Jul 31, 2011, 06:21 PM

I live in an apartment so I do not have access to the main water shut off valve. I just want to turn cold water off in the kitchen for a few minutes. I am able to turn off all other valves in 2 bathroom sinks and toilets. The only one that won't is under kitchen sink, the one I need.

hkstroud · Jul 31, 2011, 06:29 PM

Some valves only turn 1/4 turn. Does the valve look reasonably new? May be a 1/4 turn valve. Turn 1/4 turn clockwise and check faucet.

massplumber2008 · Jul 31, 2011, 06:40 PM

Hey Sunsplash

If I was you I wouldn't touch any shutoffs without control over the main shutoff in the building... know what I mean?

Here, I would notify the apartment maintenance people and have them show you the main shutoff or schedule a time for a shut down, if needed, and then I would start messing around with shutoffs and installing the faucet.

If the shutoff is real stubborn then consider installing new compression shutoffs or hiring someone to install new shutoffs at this time.

Depending on your apartment complex, especially the unknown age of things here, I'd say play it safe, much like you did by simply asking the question you did, and be sure to prevent any issues/emergencies that will end up costing you DOUBLE OVERTIME or something like that should something go wrong, OK?

Back to you...

Mark