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Reconnect Water Supply and Test — Reconnect the Faucet Supply Line

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Replace a Leaky Angle Stop (Shutoff Valve) Under Your Sink · Step 8 of 9

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In this video

Reconnect the flexible water supply hose to the tailpiece of the new faucet. Hand-tighten the connection first to avoid cross-threading, then use an adjustable wrench or pliers to give it a final quarter to half turn to ensure a snug, watertight seal. Once reconnected, turn the water supply back on at the isolation valves or the main source. Carefully inspect all connections under the sink for any drips or leaks. Turn the new faucet on and off to test its operation and check for leaks around the base.

Goal: Complete the installation and check for leaks.

Used in this video

  • Adjustable WrenchTightening the water supply line connection.
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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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Next we're just going to attach Our flex as before it's everything is just in reverse order now guys So now we're going to hold our tap and tighten that up with the spanner

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.