Questions tagged [valve]
The valve tag has no usage guidance.
604
questions
27
votes
6
answers
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Are "1/4 turn" water supply valves more reliable than "multi-turn" valves? Or vice-versa?
Aside from personal preference, is there any reason why I would want to buy a "1/4 turn" water supply valve instead of "multi-turn valves"? Is one technology/design clearly superior than the other in ...
14
votes
3
answers
4k
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Is it safe to have a drain in the floor out to the septic tank with no trap?
I had a contractor add an additional bath. When we were planning out the project, he mentioned my lack of a water heater valve drain pan. Instead, he installed a drain directly into the septic line ...
14
votes
1
answer
14k
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Can't find a garden hose that fits
Just moved into a new house and the spigot the in backyard is too big for the hose I bought. Is there an adapter or a special hose that can fit this?
13
votes
3
answers
6k
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How can I add valves to supply lines when the lines are soldered to the faucet?
I am trying to replace an old faucet that my 3 yo child is unable to use because of its design. I'm new to plumbing but actively reading. I haven't seen these supply lines w/o valves before. This ...
12
votes
3
answers
305k
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What causes a water heater's relief valve to discharge water?
I have a Gas Reliance Water Heater 1212. I found recently (in winter) there is a water dip through the relief valve into a 5 gallon bucket. Sometimes, it can fill the whole bucket. Sometimes, it has ...
11
votes
5
answers
6k
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Installer won't install dishwasher due to "old" stop valve
We just ordered a new Bosch dishwasher from Home Depot, including third-party installation. The installer they sent looked under the sink and said that because our stop valve is too old, that he ...
10
votes
9
answers
74k
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Do brass ball valves have to be oriented with the flow of water?
I bought this brass ball valve from Home Depot and installed it in the orientation of what I would consider "backwards". I'm not sure if it actually matters and before I close up the wall I would like ...
9
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How to remove this water shut off valve under the kitchen sink?
I'm trying to remove the sink cabinet but I'm stuck at these water shut off valves and the escutcheons.
Water is off already. Tried to use a wrench but didn't seem to do much.
9
votes
1
answer
858
views
Temperature Pressure Release (TPR) Valve Leaking
Check out the evolution of my saga with my water pressure and my water heater here:
Water Pressure Regulator not regulating after rebuild
And here:
High water pressure when gauge is not observed
Never ...
9
votes
3
answers
112k
views
How do I find the water main entry point to my house?
My house has no apparent main water line shut off valve. Usually one would find a shut off valve right near where the water main entered the house structure. At my current house I have never been able ...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is the purpose of the valve between these two pipes?
I saw an interesting arrangement of pipes and valves in a house I visited. These are hot water pipes, the two vertical pipes connect to a radiator. What is the purpose of the valve between the two ...
9
votes
8
answers
230k
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How do I pressure test a natural gas line and what do the valve pressure ratings mean?
I'm planning to add an appliance to my house, and will want to do a pressure test of the newly installed gas lines. My main shutoff says 175 PSI, but most of the appliance valves say either 1/2 or 5 ...
8
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Corroded Water Shut Off Bolt/Lever - Is this okay for now?
A couple months ago I noticed our water pressure get weaker when we used more than one appliance in the home. Today I picked up a replacement PRV but when I went to change them out I noticed that the ...
8
votes
4
answers
28k
views
Handheld showerhead backflow preventer
Every year my rental house is inspected by the city. Last time the inspector told me to add a backflow preventer (one-way check valve) to the handheld showerhead in the bathroom. The showerhead is ...
7
votes
1
answer
5k
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Should I have replaced my water heater's shut-off gate valve with a ball valve?
I replaced my water heater's cold water shut-off gate valve with a ball valve...because the gate valve didn't close all the way and was dripping water while I was working (installing a sediment filter....
7
votes
4
answers
4k
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Why does it appear that my system is designed to PREVENT me from connecting the washing machine to mains water?
My plumber, who is really into his engineering has installed brand new plumbing in my kitchen. The endpoint valves for washing machine and dishwasher are "non return" valves.
Both of these ...
7
votes
1
answer
29k
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No water after reopening main water valve
I closed the main water valve for simple repairs. After reopening it there's barely any water doesn't even register in the meter. The valve doesn't feel broken but I can't think of what could be wrong....
7
votes
4
answers
12k
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Why won't my new water valves turn on?
Alright I just replaced my bathroom sink and faucet had some problems but managed through. Turned my water back on and the went back to the bathroom sink to turn the valves on but they won't turn. ...
7
votes
2
answers
21k
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Why does shutting off cold water valve to the water heater shut down cold water in entire house?
I'm a new homeowner so maybe my understanding is off. My question is, why would turning off the cold water intake valve on the top of the heater turn off cold water to the entire house after about 12 ...
6
votes
4
answers
2k
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Any risk in installing a one-way valve? [duplicate]
A few days ago, I noticed a [serious issue][1] in my home: when there was an interruption of water supply from the city, the water in my circuits was depleted very fast (running backward, passing back ...
6
votes
2
answers
50k
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Gas valve with on off indicator?
Is there such a thing as a gas valve with an on/off indicator light?
I'm looking for something where it's blindingly obvious that somebody has left the gas on.
ironically: I googled around but ...
6
votes
3
answers
2k
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What disadvantages do thermostatic mixing valves have?
I will soon be buying a new water heater for my home. I want to set the heater to keep the stored water at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), and use a thermostatic mixing valve to ...
5
votes
4
answers
3k
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How can I seal the gap around a valve handle in drywall?
I have a valve under my kitchen sink that controls the water at my outdoor spigot, and I was unable during a kitchen remodel to fully seal this area leaving an opening in the drywall around the valve. ...
5
votes
1
answer
2k
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How do I tighten this appliance's valve?
I am trying to tighten a washing machine and kitchen tap valve to an angle valve. However, I noticed that the nut that I am tightening seems to be sitting tight while the valve is still moving along ...
5
votes
3
answers
10k
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Is it necessary to shut off the water supply to a radiator in order to replace a radiator valve?
There are barely any instructions in the manual. Do I need more than a spanner to do replacement?
Is it necessary to shut off the water supply to the radiator in order to replace the radiator valve?
5
votes
3
answers
2k
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What is the best way to permanently bond a driver tip to a stuck screw head?
I have been trying to close the two screwdriver-operated stop-check valves (visible on the left and on the right in the picture) of a Moen single-handle shower to cut the flow of water and allow me to ...
5
votes
3
answers
11k
views
Why does cold water always mix in bathtub mixing valve, even on hottest setting?
I have a single-handle (rotates 270 degrees) faucet in my tub/shower. I've noticed that it is always mixing in cold water, even when turned all the way to hot. I can prove this by holding the cold ...
5
votes
2
answers
843
views
Relocating new shower valve for tub/shower to shower conversion
Need advice on raising shower valve height since I’m converting tub/shower to shower. I have no experience with sweating or soldering copper pipes. I’ve watched videos and dont mind giving it a try. ...
5
votes
3
answers
9k
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Is it common for faucet handles to turn in opposite directions?
I just had my bathroom renovated and I noticed that cold and hot sink handles turn in opposite direction. The hot is the standard lefty lucy and righty tighty-- but the cold is the opposite (closes ...
5
votes
3
answers
31k
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The main water valve won't open fully after I closed it. How do I shut off the water to replace it?
Basically the title says it all.
I turned the water for the house off to replace some leaking washing machine shutoff valves, and install stop-cock valves for a laundry sink. When I tried to turn ...
5
votes
2
answers
55k
views
How do I fix a shutoff valve that isn't opening?
My dishwasher started leaking over the weekend. I turned off the water at the shutoff in the basement, it's a standard faucet type in the copper piping.
I then replaced the rubber heater hose used ...
5
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is this pipe called, and how does it work?
I recently saw a plumbing setup where a 2" pipe was run from a bend in the 4" toilet return. The 2" pipe bent upwards to meet the floor next to the toilet, where it was capped off with a removable ...
5
votes
6
answers
7k
views
How to fix a leaky flapper valve?
I bought a house that had been sitting for some time. One of the the issues that I've discovered is that the flapper valve leaks. I've come to this conclusion by turning off the water to the tank ...
5
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Can this valve be used for water?
A water valve cracked today at my house and had to call a plumber. He replaced it with a gas valve (yellow handle). He said he uses gas valves because they are better quality.
What he installed looks ...
5
votes
1
answer
86
views
Help understanding and fixing shut off valve
I recently moved to a new house and am in the process of setting up essential appliances. While trying to connect the washing machine, I noticed that the shut off valve is leaking from a white hole(?) ...
5
votes
4
answers
17k
views
How do I get these toilet shut off valve out?
As title says I am trying to figure out how to remove the old shut off valve from the pipe. I've been watching lot of videos, reading up on articles and all seem to deal with compression fit type but ...
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How do I turn off this sprinkler valve?
We just purchased our home this summer, so I've never gone through the process of turning off the sprinklers for the winter (we're in Utah, so hard freezes are possible). The stop-and-waste valve is ...
5
votes
3
answers
20k
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Why would a sprinkler Air Valve leak after winterization?
I had someone come over my house and winterize the sprinklers. He explained to me what he did: He said he closed the main valve to the sprinkler system, hooked up a compressor and blew out all the ...
4
votes
4
answers
72k
views
What should I do about my toilet flapper sticking open?
The flapper valve in the toilet in my apartment was recently replaced, since it had a small leak. The new one has a perfectly good seal, but sometimes just gets stuck open. It looks like it's just ...
4
votes
4
answers
41k
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Stuck, leaking water shutoff valve to toilet
The problem...
I recently replaced the fill valve and the flapper in one of the toilets in my house. When I turned the water back on using the shutoff valve below the toilet, a slow drip had ...
4
votes
3
answers
10k
views
What caused my toilet's flapper valve to become spongy and disintegrate (see pictures)?
I just had the flapper valve fail one of my home's toilets. The rubber had become spongy, sticky, and was beginning to disintegrate. It's so soft now that it rubs off with the slightest touch.
The ...
4
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Should I remove this saddle valve, if so what is the best way to do so?
Currently this saddle valve is exposed but I would like to close this wall up. Before I do I'd like to know if I should leave the valve as-is or if I should remove it. If I remove it what is the ...
4
votes
4
answers
27k
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Do pressure reducing valves also function as check/one-way valves?
If installing a pressure reducing valve, is there any sense in installing a one-way check valve in series, or would it be redundant? (i.e. does the PRV also act as a one-way valve?)
4
votes
2
answers
2k
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Is it worth replacing globe valve with ball valve for my main shutoff?
I live in a small two story house (row home) with water service entering through the basement. The bathroom is on the second floor. Whoever did the main service line used 1/2 inch copper instead of ...
4
votes
3
answers
11k
views
How can I remove this valve?
I am trying to replace the valve connecting the water line to the sink in my bathroom. The piping and sink were installed in 1975. I'm stuck trying to remove the valve under the sink (see picture ...
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
How can I add an ice maker water line?
I have the following setup with a T with a valve to an above sink water filter.
The line from the T has one steel braided 3/8” line and goes up to the sink as 3/8”. The other is a thin PVC line with ...
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
Leaking Bathroom Sink Water Supply Valve
I have a leak at a supply line valve under a bathroom sink. I've read through several "suggested" posts, but it appears every leak is different. In my case the leak is almost non-...
4
votes
3
answers
886
views
Can I glue the float back onto linkage to my toilet fill valve?
The part (circled in red) has snapped off - I think it belongs to the entry fill valve. I have placed the knife in there to stop the cistern from filling and overflowing.
Should I try and super glue ...
4
votes
7
answers
82k
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How do I remove this stuck faucet valve cartridge?
It's still in the casing, as I didn't want to remove the whole faucet. I tried lots of WD-40 and trying to tighten a little and then loosen. Someone told me to use a hair-dryer on it to heat it up a ...
4
votes
3
answers
1k
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How can I make these bath valves easier to use?
I'm looking for a way to make the valves in the pictures below easier for my mother to use. She has a bad case of arthritis in here hands, so this was suggested by a nurse.
I would really prefer any ...