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Shut Off Water Supply and Drain Line — Shut Off Main Water Supply

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Leaky Angle Stop (Shutoff Valve) Under Your Sink · Step 2 of 9

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In this video

Locate the main water shut-off valve for your home, which is often found in a utility closet, basement, or garage near the water meter. Turn the valve handle completely to shut off the water supply. Then, go back to the outdoor faucet and open it to allow any remaining water in the pipe to drain out completely.

Goal: Prepare for Repair

  • Failing to shut off the water will result in uncontrolled water flow when you disassemble the faucet.

Used in this video

  • Main Water Shut-off ValveShutting off the water supply to the entire house.
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This Old House

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FAQs

What's the single most important safety step to take before I even touch the leaky angle stop?

The most critical step is to shut off the main water supply to your home. This prevents potential flooding and ensures a safe working environment. Always confirm the water is off by testing a nearby faucet before proceeding with any work.

The project is listed as 'beginner' difficulty, but 3 hours seems long for a valve. Is it really that involved?

While replacing an angle stop is beginner-friendly, the 3-hour estimate accounts for prep work like gathering tools, draining lines, dealing with potential seized parts, and thorough leak testing. Taking your time ensures a proper, leak-free installation, so don't rush the process.

I see "Adjustable Wrench" and "Tongue and Groove Pliers" listed. Are these specific tools essential, or can I get by with a generic wrench set?

Yes, these specific tools are highly recommended. An adjustable wrench helps securely tighten the compression nut on the new valve without stripping it, while tongue and groove pliers (like Channellock) provide a strong grip for holding the valve or pipe steady. Using the correct tools prevents damage and ensures a tight, leak-free connection.

This project specifically mentions installing a "compression-style valve." Are there other types of angle stops, and why is this type recommended for a DIYer?

Yes, other types include soldered (sweat) and push-to-connect (SharkBite) valves. Compression-style valves are ideal for DIYers because they create a watertight seal by compressing a ferrule onto the pipe, requiring only basic hand tools and no specialized skills like soldering, making them relatively easy to install.

Transcript
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Does it stay leaking when it's off? Well, be sure to like this video because I'm going to show you without any pills or natural remedies, how to correct the situation, find your main valve A and turn it all the way off and drain out the water.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.