Shutoff valves you can count on
Quick answer
Old gate valves at the main and multi-turn stops at fixtures often seize or leak. Replacing them with quarter-turn ball valves means you can stop water quickly when a leak happens.
High water pressure on Monterey Park's hills puts extra stress on valves. When a leak happens, a working shutoff is the most important tool.
Main shutoff
Many homes have old gate valves at the main. They seize or break when turned.
Fixture shutoffs
Valves under sinks and behind toilets seize.
Ball valves
Quarter-turn ball valves are reliable.
Testing
Exercise valves once a year.
Where to find the main
On many Monterey Park hillside lots, the main shutoff is near where the water line enters the house, often low on the wall facing the street, sometimes in the garage. The meter and the city's valve are near the curb, in a concrete box. Knowing both matters.
Pressure and valves
Homes on the hills often see higher water pressure, which wears valve washers and seals faster. If your home has a pressure regulator near the main, it should be checked too. High pressure shortens the life of every valve, hose and fixture in the house.
Signs a valve is failing
- The handle will not turn, or turns without stopping the water
- Drips at the stem or packing nut
- Green or white crust around the valve body
- Water still trickles after the valve is fully closed
Labeling
After we replace valves, we can tag the main so everyone in the household knows where it is and which way to turn it.
Exercise them
Turn every shutoff closed and open again once a year. Valves that move regularly are much less likely to seize when you need them.
Why shutoffs matter
When a supply line bursts or a toilet overflows, the fastest way to stop damage is a valve that closes when you turn it. In older Monterey Park homes, many fixture shutoffs and the main valve are original. Old multi-turn gate and globe valves seize, leak at the stem when moved, or close only partway.
Knowing where your valves are and whether they work is one of the most useful things a homeowner can check.
Finding the main
The main house shutoff is usually where the supply line enters the house, often on the front or side wall near the hose bib, or near the water heater. The water meter at the street also has a valve, which is the utility's equipment and often requires a meter key.
Many hillside homes also have a pressure regulator near the main, which looks like a bell-shaped brass fitting.
Testing fixture shutoffs
Our steps:
- Turn the valve under the sink or behind the toilet clockwise until it stops
- Open the faucet or flush the toilet to check that water stops
- If it drips, the valve is not sealing
- Turn it back open and check the stem for leaks
If a valve will not turn by hand, do not force it with a large wrench. Old valves can snap or leak at the stem. That is the sign it needs replacing.
Quarter-turn valves
Modern quarter-turn ball valves close with a short lever and are far more reliable than old multi-turn valves. At fixtures, we usually replace old stops with quarter-turn angle stops sized for the existing pipe, with compression or other suitable fittings. For the main, a full-port ball valve gives full water flow and quick shutoff.
Supply lines too
When we replace a shutoff, we usually replace the supply line at the same time. Braided stainless lines are more durable than old plastic or chrome tubing. Lines are inexpensive, and old ones are a common source of leaks.
See clearing clogged bathroom and kitchen sinks for under-sink checks.
Pipe types in older homes
Many older homes have galvanized steel water pipe, which corrodes from the inside and can be fragile at the threads. Others have copper, which is more forgiving. If galvanized threads break when an old valve comes off, we may need to replace a short section of pipe. We check the pipe before starting so you know what to expect.
Label and practice
Once your valves work, tag the main with a label and make sure everyone in the home knows where it is. If a pressure regulator is installed nearby, its condition matters too; see high water pressure on the hillside.
Water heater and appliance valves
The water heater has a cold supply valve, often an old gate valve with a round handle. It is worth testing and upgrading along with the main. Washing machine valves are another common failure; a single-lever dual shutoff makes it easy to turn off both hot and cold when leaving home.
Ice maker and dishwasher lines usually have their own small valves under the sink. Replacing old saddle valves on refrigerator lines with proper stops removes a common leak source.
After a valve replacement
When water comes back on, air and sediment can come through faucets. Remove aerators and flush lines for a minute, then reinstall them. Check every new joint over the next day.
When to call right away
If a valve leaks at its stem, a supply line has bulged, or the main will not close, call us before the next weekend. A failed valve rarely gets better on its own.
What our visit involves
We replace main and fixture valves and test. See water shutoff replacement.
After a valve swap on the north side, dumplings at Mama Lu's are a quick stop.
Want us to handle it?
Call or text (626) 684-3505, Mon–Sat, 8:30 AM–7 PM. Send a photo and we will give you an upfront quote.
Call or text (626) 684-3505