How to Replace a Faucet Shut Off Valve

Homes often have water shut off valves at each sink faucet and the bathroom fixtures. The shut off valves enable you to turn off the water to a particular faucet to make repairs rather than shutting off the water to the entire house. Shut off valves have seals inside that dry out, then leak. Leaks from your shut off valves require replacement of valve. Shut off valves are available at home improvement centers and hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Replacement shut off valve
• Plumber's tape

Instructions

Remove Faulty Shut Off Valve

1. Turn off the main water supply to the house. The main water shut off is between the water meter and the home.

2. Turn on the faucet to allow any residual water to drain from the line. Go under the sink and locate the water supply hose connection to the shut-off valve you are replacing. The shut off valve connects to a house line coming from the wall or base of the cabinet and the water supply line to the faucet.

3. Loosen the water supply line connection to the shut off valve with a wrench. The water supply connection is just like a garden hose connection. Remove the water supply line from the shut off valve.

4. Turn the nut connecting the shut off valve to house line clockwise with a wrench. You turn this nut clockwise because the nut threads on the shut off valve and you will be looking at the nut in reverse. Pull the shut off valve away from the house line.

5. Pull the little rubber compression washer off the end of the house line and slide the retaining nut off the house line.

Install New Shut Off Valve

1. Wrap plumber's tape around the threads on each of the two connections on the new shut off valve. Place the retaining nut over the house line with the threads pointing away from the line. Place the plastic or rubber compression washer over the end of the house line with the concave portion pointing away from the nut.

2. Place the water shut off valve over the end of the house line. Thread the retaining nut over the threads of the shut off valve until you can no longer turn the nut by hand. Turn the nut another three-quarter turn with a wrench.

3. Thread the water supply line connection over the threads on the other end of the shut off valve until you can no longer turn it by hand. Tighten the nut another three-quarter turn with the wrench.

4. Turn the water shut off valve handle clockwise with your hands. Turn on the water supply to the house. Slowly turn the water supply handle counter-clockwise and look for leaks at the two connections. Tighten the connections if necessary by another one-quarter turn if a leak is present.

References

• Family Handyman: How to Replace a Shut Off Valve
• This Old House: Adding Sink Shut Off Valves