30
votes
Accepted
Are "1/4 turn" water supply valves more reliable than "multi-turn" valves? Or vice-versa?
Yes, ball valves or quarter turn valves tend to be more reliable than globe valves. Globe valves require a washer and a tight friction fit between the seat and washer, and if either of these wear out ...
- 27.1k
24
votes
Accepted
How do I tighten this appliance's valve?
That appears to be cross-threaded. i.e. the threads on the male and female parts are not correctly engaged with each other. The parts should be straight to each other, not off at an angle like that.
...
- 132k
23
votes
Accepted
Do I need to replace this valve that a plumber claimed needed to be replaced?
Yes, it needs to be replaced. It is severely corroded and will probably fail when the pipe is replaced. It looks to be a 3/4 inch gate valve, and a new one will be cheaper than having to take the ...
- 556
21
votes
Accepted
Installer won't install dishwasher due to "old" stop valve
Capsule summary of the comments:
Your old valve should probably be replaced with a new quarter turn ball valve version. Those old valves wear out and break your heart when it really matters.
Report ...
17
votes
Accepted
Can't find a garden hose that fits
That is not a standard garden hose fitting. Instead it looks to be part of a anti-siphon adapter where the other part was unscrewed to reveal the inner section of the unit. The regular hose thread ...
- 61.1k
15
votes
Accepted
How can I add valves to supply lines when the lines are soldered to the faucet?
This isn't a very difficult job for a new diyer to tackle. You'll only need some basic tools in addition to a pipe cutter and deburring tool. Here is what needs to be done:
Installing the Shutoff ...
- 7,589
14
votes
Accepted
Do brass ball valves have to be oriented with the flow of water?
If a valve has directionality, it will almost universally be cast as an arrow in of the body, as seen in this globe (aka stop) valve:
I've never seen a ball valve that is directional. If you look ...
- 28.3k
13
votes
Are "1/4 turn" water supply valves more reliable than "multi-turn" valves? Or vice-versa?
The quarter turn valves usually have a few things going for them:
Clear indication of whether it is on or off
They (at least in my experience) seize less often, and the handle shape gives more ...
- 5,069
13
votes
Corroded Water Shut Off Bolt/Lever - Is this okay for now?
That's a ball valve and they are pretty good valves. At this point, I'd just wire brush all the rust off and clean up the valve. Then test the valve to make sure it operates smoothly and totally turns ...
- 53.1k
12
votes
Accepted
Is it necessary to shut off the water supply to a radiator in order to replace a radiator valve?
You need to drain the water from the heating system, effect the remove and replace, then refill the heating system.
Some circulating-water heating systems are filled with tap water from the home's ...
- 12.7k
11
votes
How can I seal the gap around a valve handle in drywall?
There are ball valve stem extensions available, or you can make your own fairly easily.
Extend the stem about 1/2". Now get a standard low voltage wall opening kit with expanding wings. Cut the ...
- 4,183
11
votes
How to remove this water shut off valve under the kitchen sink?
That plumbing is PEX which uses compression fittings. You have two styles of compression rings on it, the black-ish ones with the aqua copper corrosion are "copper crimp rings" and the ...
- 2,919
9
votes
Installer won't install dishwasher due to "old" stop valve
You should update this valve now that you are in there installing a new dishwasher.
The dishwasher purchase, "with installation" correctly does not include updating your plumbing.
It is ...
- 16.9k
9
votes
How can I add valves to supply lines when the lines are soldered to the faucet?
HoneyDo has a great answer; I'm putting extended comments here with some photos of one of my bathroom sinks with a new faucet installed last year.
I would just note that I like to spend extra and buy ...
- 962
8
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to control water pressure using a ball valve?
To answer your question; A ball valve only controls flow not pressure. A few seconds after water is flowing a ball valve will limit the pressure based on the flow. A pressure regulator requires no ...
- 95.4k
8
votes
Is it necessary to shut off the water supply to a radiator in order to replace a radiator valve?
Heating systems can vary by region. I have answered this from a UK perspective as you appear to have bought from B&Q.
If the broken part is the white thermostatic cap, then it would be much ...
- 593
7
votes
How can I seal the gap around a valve handle in drywall?
How about a split flange, they come in different sizes. You could pack the opening with steel wool or insulation to seal the hole.
- 3,915
7
votes
Accepted
Why does the water from my shower get hotter when I use a shut-off valve?
Let's flesh this into an answer.
This happens with my kitchen faucet and one of those "quick-flip - not quite total shutoff" valves that screw into the aerator. My guess is that some hot ...
- 132k
7
votes
Accepted
What happens to quarter valve when I don't turn it on/off completely?
A quarter-turn valve is a poor choice for metering (controlling the flow, as you want to.) They are best for "on/off" operation but plenty of folks use them for flow control anyway.
The ...
- 132k
6
votes
Accepted
Should I remove this saddle valve, if so what is the best way to do so?
Ed has the important part of the answer. Saddle valves are trouble, and since you're not using it, it's easy to eliminate. Even if you were using it, it makes sense to replace with a soldered-in valve....
- 2,345
6
votes
What is this copper ring insert in my sharkbite supply valve?
Here is the correct answer to the question as it is written.
The copper ring is a ferrule, which is part of a compression fitting.
You absolutely need the copper Ferrule for a watertight connection,...
- 13.2k
6
votes
Accepted
Knob Identification
That has nothing to do with your heating system.
That is an old telephone jack box. If you move that cover in the Open direction, you should see it uncover a 4 wire telephone jack. The slot is to ...
- 2,432
6
votes
Why does it appear that my system is designed to PREVENT me from connecting the washing machine to mains water?
Some washing machine supply hoses incorporate a special valve designed to shut off the flow In the event of a rupture in the hose. One brand with this feature is Flood-Safe. If you carefully examine ...
- 19.6k
6
votes
Corroded Water Shut Off Bolt/Lever - Is this okay for now?
The trace of white corrosion product indicates no problem at all with the valve. The zinc coating ( or less likely cadmium ) has apparently been wet, likely from condensation of humidity, and corroded....
- 7,648
6
votes
How can I seal the gap around a valve handle in drywall?
Cut a piece of tube from toilet paper roll (the center) and put it around the handle rod.
Foam gun/caulk gun with silicone around it.
The cardboard may or may not be possible to remove - try it.
You ...
- 81
6
votes
How can I seal the gap around a valve handle in drywall?
I'm in agreement with Thomas regarding the use of caulk or "foam & fill" [expanding cyanoacrylate], but…
I'd first take the handle off, grease the mechanism heavily so no foam & fill ...
- 4,131
5
votes
Accepted
What can I do about a saddle valve that won't turn on?
Saddle valves are terrible as actual valves. They are a cheap/easy way to tap an existing water line, but that's it. After you use them a few times, you just can't rely on the needle to cleanly seal ...
- 28.3k
5
votes
Accepted
Do washing-machines provide a AC connector which is live when the machine is working?
No, they don't generally have such an outlet.
Perhaps you are looking for an Automatic Washing Machine Shutoff Valve? These devices sense when the washing machine is using electricity and open the ...
- 1,539
5
votes
How do I use this valve properly?
It's called a pressure reducing valve (PRV)
That's a PRV with a shut off and set point. The knob on the bottom is the shut off and the bigger knob with the screw is the set point. Now that you've ...
- 6,098
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible