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How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Shutoff Valve

Author: wikibase 20-05-2011, 03:23 home maintenance & repair » Sink Plumbing

How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Shutoff Valve

Water shut off valves become old and can either start leaking, or the setscrew holding your handle to the shut off valve wears out. When these events occur, you are left with no choice but to replace your shutoff valve. You will have two shutoff valves located underneath your kitchen sink. One is to shut off your hot water, and the other one is to shut off your cold water. These valves are almost always located on the back wall and will most likely have round or oval shape handles. You will spend more time turning your water on and off than it actually takes to replace your shutoff valve.

Instructions

Locate your water main to shut off the water supply to your house. Your water main is most likely located in your yard close to the street. Your water main will be covered with a plastic or metal cover plate. Lift up the cover plate to gain access to your water main.

Use a water key to shut off your water supply to your house. A water key is an inexpensive tool that can be purchased at your home remodeling center. Place the notched end of your water key onto the rectangle shape knob that is between the two pressure gauges. Turn the knob counter clockwise to shut off your water.

Remove your water supply line that is connected to the top of your shutoff valve. Your water supply line runs from the shutoff valve to your sink. Use your pliers to loosen the fitting or nut and remove your water line. Turn the nut counter-clockwise to loosen it.

Use your pliers or channel locks to loosen the compression nut located at the back of your shutoff valve. When your compression nut is loose enough, your shutoff valve will come off. Take your shutoff valve with you to your home remodeling center, and purchase a new one that is identical to the one that you removed.

Install your new shutoff valve by threading the compression nut clockwise onto the same pipe that you took the old valve off of. Use your pliers or channel locks to tighten the compression nut the rest of the way. Connect your water supply line to your shutoff valve and tighten it down with your pliers.

Turn your water back on with your water key and place the cover plate back over your water main. Check under your sink for leaks after you have turned your water back on. You may need to tighten your compression nuts a little bit more.

Tips & Warnings

An older shutoff valve may have to be cut off. Use a hacksaw and cut as close to the shutoff valve as you can get. You must have enough pipe left to install your new shutoff valve.
You will need a shutoff valve the same size as the old one, and it must also have a compression nut and compression ring.
Slide the compression nut onto your water pipe with the large hole facing out. Follow the compression nut with the compression ring. The compression ring will form a tight seal around the water pipe.
Install the new shutoff valve by sliding the threaded end onto the pipe, and then sliding the compression nut and ring to the valve. Tighten the compression nut onto the back of the shut off valve.

References

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