Replacing old washing maching shut-off valves.


  #1  
Old 01-20-19, 06:18 PM
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Replacing old washing maching shut-off valves.

Ok. So, these brass valves began leaking several years ago and for whatever reason they were never replaced. Sometimes they'll leak, other times they don't. The problem is, I'm worried about breaking something when I go to unscrew them because they haven't been replaced since my mom got this mobile home about 30 years ago. Is there a way to make it unscrew without breaking anything?
 
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Old 01-20-19, 06:28 PM
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Sometimes all it takes is to tighten the packing nut on the valve stem.
Are you sure they screw off and aren't soldered on ?
Other than that it's pretty hard to comment on the valves without seeing them.

A picture would be helpful..... How-to-insert-pictures
 
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Old 01-22-19, 12:20 PM
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Here is a picture of the old valves. I am going to clean up the wall box, replace the valves, and replace the hoses. Can you tell from this pic if they screw off or are soldered on there? I can't take anymore pics because my smartphone camera died on me.



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Last edited by PJmax; 01-22-19 at 05:10 PM. Reason: added enlarged view
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Old 01-22-19, 05:12 PM
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Very strange. That is a metal valve connected to what looks like possibly PEX or some type of flexible line. The valve will unscrew off that fitting I'm just not sure what that fitting is. It looks like it's plastic.
 
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Old 01-22-19, 07:25 PM
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Ok. I'll get a better pic of that fitting. I'll have to use my nieces phone, though the quality isn't as good as mine.
 
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Old 01-22-19, 08:54 PM
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Where is it leaking? Are the shut offs leaking or is it a constant leak into the washer? Also, it the shut offs are leaking, point to where the leak is so we can better guide you.
 
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Old 01-23-19, 09:28 AM
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They start leaking when I mess with the shutoff valve or sometimes when the washing machine is getting water. When it starts leaking, I have to play around with the shutoff valve to make it stop. Sometimes it will leak for a while then stop. Since they're not leaking now, I won't bother them because I might catch hell trying to get it to stop. And here are closer pics of the valves I took with my niece's phone. Looking at these pics, can you tell me if the valves screw onto the pipe or does the pipe screw onto the valves?



 
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Old 01-23-19, 09:37 AM
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Right where your yellow arrows are, carefully tighten the packing nuts under the faucet handles. The leaks should stop.
 
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Old 01-23-19, 01:35 PM
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Yeah. I tried that before. It did tighten a little bit. I'm just scared of breaking something but I suppose I can tighten it a bit more.
 
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Old 01-23-19, 04:05 PM
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It looks like there might be threads (pointed to by the arrow). Maybe not, can’t see that well. But if so I would think you could spin it off at that point.
 
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Old 01-23-19, 05:46 PM
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Yeah. Those are the threads. Now I know what kind of shut-off valves to get. Those and the hoses. One last question. I noticed the two shut-off valves are different sizes. Is the hot water valve the smaller of the two?
 

Last edited by Shawn R; 01-23-19 at 06:02 PM.
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Old 01-24-19, 06:18 AM
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I’m no expert for sure, but I’m pretty certain the hot and cold pipes going to a fixture are the same size. Your washing machine hoses should be 3/4 inch (well maybe even only 1/2).

I can’t tell from the pic, but is it just that they are 2 different styles and one looks bigger? Can you measure the O.D. of the pipe on both sides at the threads?

The more I think about it, the valves probably should have 1/2 pipe input and 3/4 inch outlet for the washer hose. I think that's pretty standard. Even though your stuff looks pretty old that would probably be correct. Maybe one of the pros will weigh in.
 

Last edited by zoesdad; 01-24-19 at 06:32 AM. Reason: added "The more...
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Old 01-24-19, 08:58 AM
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Well I just asked my neighbor and he said it is normal to have the hot smaller that the cold, you get hot water faster that way. I thought they were ALWAYS the same size at a fixture. Apparently not so. A smaller hot can give you hot water faster.

So sorry about leading you astray.
 
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Old 01-24-19, 09:55 AM
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it is normal to have the hot smaller that the cold, you get hot water faster that way
While it's true that you'll get hot water faster in a 1/2" pipe rather than a 3/4" pipe... I don't know about it being 'normal'. I've never seen different sized pipes being used, but who knows, maybe it's a regional thing.
 
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Old 01-24-19, 11:20 AM
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You are right Zorfdt. He said he's seen it before. He didn't use the word normal. I did and must be in a fog today. I better quit trying to help out today and get some rest.
 
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Old 01-24-19, 11:28 AM
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Now I know what kind of shut-off valves to get.

The valves you have are typically the cheapest valve available and used to be used extensively outside as hose bibs. I'd step it up a bit and use a boiler valve, I think they will last a lot longer.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...F3EB/205812176
 
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Old 01-24-19, 02:19 PM
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Those boiler valves are the ones I had my eye on. That's all the hardware store sells. They have the small and large ones.
 
 

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