How to Install a Toilet Shutoff

Installing a shutoff valve for a toilet on a copper line can be challenging. (Some toilets do not come with a shutoff valve.) The right tools for the job and the supplies for the job are half the battle.The other part of the job is draining the line so that you can solder the new joint on.

Things You'll Need

• Propane tank
• Solder
• Copper pipe cutter
• Copper pipe brush
• Channel lock pliers
• Small pipe wrench
• Pipe dope
• Teflon tape

Instructions

1. Turn off the water main. Verify the water is off by turning on the shower in the bathroom where you are working.

2. Cut the 1/2-inch copper pipe and let the water drain. Within a couple of minutes the water should stop. On an old house this can be frustrating. Old houses tend to have leaky water mains.

3. Clean the copper pipe really well with a pipe cleaner brush. A dirty fitting does not accept solder well.

4. If there is no water coming out of the pipe, you can solder. If there is a little bit still coming out, you will not be able to reach the right temperature for soldering. An old plumber's trick is to stick a piece of bread into the pipe.The bread will clog the pipe and allow the solder and then will dissolve later on.

5. Solder the 1/2-inch copper threaded fitting to the pipe. Heat one side of the copper pipe. When the pipe is ready for solder, touch the solder to the joint, and the solder will be sucked into the joint, giving you a good seal. Inspect the solder to see if you can spot leaks.

6. Wait for the pipe to cool before you install the valve.

7. After it is cool, prepare the toilet shutoff valve threads for the new valve by cleaning the threads with a small wire brush. Dab some pipe dope onto the threads and some onto the valve threads too. If you have Teflon tape you can use that instead of pipe dope.

8. Place new valve on to the pipe threads and hand tighten.

9. Use channel locks to tighten till it is snug.You want a good seal, but if you go too tight, you run the risk of stripping the threads.

10. Turn the water main on and check for leaks.

11. If you have a good solder, then apply pipe dope on the water supply line before connecting. Connect the water supply line for the toilet to the valve.

Tips & Warnings

• Use eye protection when soldering.

• Have all tools necessary ready to use.

• Warn people that you are turning off water.

References

• The Encyclopedia of House Hold Plumbing; Martin Clifford; 1976
• Replace a toilet shutoff valve

Resources

• How to solder copper pipe