Water valve replace
#1
10-19-19, 06:13 PM
Water valve replace
I have a live water line from the street in the shut off valve at the meter in the house is broken. The water gate in the street has been paved over and the town wants to charge $2000 to locate it dig it up and shut off so I can replace the valve. Is there a way to replace the valve with the waterline Charged. It would be no problem for me to install a new valve after the meter and pretty much a Bandan the valve before the meter. Because at that point it would be the town’s issue I believe. If anybody has a way to shut off a live waterline so that I can replace the valve that would be great thank you
#2
10-19-19, 06:25 PM
Member
Usually a shut off valve will be located on the home owners front lawn. I see no way to get around the $2k expense. There is a slim possibility...Using a shark bite valve you could cut the line and insert the valve ASAP. You would have a lot of water spraying all over for a few seconds. Not sure if the pressure would be too great. If finished basement then no go, but unfinished it could be done. I'm not recommending it.
#3
10-20-19, 04:33 AM
Member
I'm sure out there in the industrial world there are systems and tools to do just such things but for a DIY I've never seen anything.
I would highly caution anything like this, first, I never use these mechanical fittings, remember they are made up of fittings and O-rings, all sourced from China, and can fail!
Plus if it didn't work you have a solid stream of high pressure water flowing into your basement with no way to stop!
There is a slim possibility...Using a shark bite valve you could cut the line and insert the valve ASAP.
Plus if it didn't work you have a solid stream of high pressure water flowing into your basement with no way to stop!
CasualJoe
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#4
10-20-19, 05:27 AM
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What the heck is a "Bandan"? The valve before the meter is for the utility to turn off the water to allow meter replacement.
When you state this valve is broken just what do you mean? Does it not turn off the water when you close it? Does it at least cause the flow to diminish to a small trickle when closed? IF it does the latter you can add a new ball valve downstream of the meter with only a minor mess.
Some plumbing companies will have a kit that allows using dry ice to freeze a plug of ice in the pipe before the damaged valve. I hesitated advising a DIYer to try this as it could damage the piping if not done correctly.
When you state this valve is broken just what do you mean? Does it not turn off the water when you close it? Does it at least cause the flow to diminish to a small trickle when closed? IF it does the latter you can add a new ball valve downstream of the meter with only a minor mess.
Some plumbing companies will have a kit that allows using dry ice to freeze a plug of ice in the pipe before the damaged valve. I hesitated advising a DIYer to try this as it could damage the piping if not done correctly.
CasualJoe
voted this post useful.
#5
10-20-19, 06:15 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
I would try to locate a plumber to freeze line and install valve. Could DIY but I don't know if they rent equipment to do this. Plumber would be a lot cheaper than city.
#6
10-21-19, 06:47 PM
As Pugsl mentioned, some plumbers do have equipment to freeze the line. A plumber recently advised against it for a similar type of repair because he said the freezing does sometimes fail, and you don't want the basement turning into a swimming pool.
We ended up running a new line to the street main and installing a new shutoff. In my case, the shutoff was next to a cute little tree 60 years ago. 60 years later, the tree grew over the shutoff.
I would though ask around - most towns' water companies consider up to the meter or shutoff at the curb their equipment. Anything past that is yours.
Some larger cities make it all your problem, but I haven't run into a town that does that. So make sure you got accurate information.
We ended up running a new line to the street main and installing a new shutoff. In my case, the shutoff was next to a cute little tree 60 years ago. 60 years later, the tree grew over the shutoff.
I would though ask around - most towns' water companies consider up to the meter or shutoff at the curb their equipment. Anything past that is yours.
Some larger cities make it all your problem, but I haven't run into a town that does that. So make sure you got accurate information.
#7
10-21-19, 06:55 PM
Super Moderator
If the broken valve is before the meter it is the townships responsibility. That is thier valve.
If they dont want to change it then ask for a meter upgrade because you think its faulty. You are allowed to ask for this once every so many years I believe. I had this request for a faulty electric meter once.
or ask for a new meter bigger in size because you may want to put in irrigation. 5/8 meter to 3/4 say...
This way they will need to turn off the water to change their own meter. Dont pay for nothing would be my vote.
If they dont want to change it then ask for a meter upgrade because you think its faulty. You are allowed to ask for this once every so many years I believe. I had this request for a faulty electric meter once.
or ask for a new meter bigger in size because you may want to put in irrigation. 5/8 meter to 3/4 say...
This way they will need to turn off the water to change their own meter. Dont pay for nothing would be my vote.
#8
10-22-19, 05:07 AM
Member
Lawrosa, I question your statement. The valve is located inside the house just before the meter. As far as I know that is the homeowners property and responsibility. The valve under the street is the municipalities. Am i in error? I had a similar situation at my parents house. The valve just before the meter was inoperative. They had to pay for a replacement since it was their property. There was just enough room to add another valve just after the faulty one.
#9
10-22-19, 09:46 AM
The valve is located inside the house just before the meter. As far as I know that is the homeowners property and responsibility
BUT - in most locales, the curb stop (the valve out by the road) is the town's responsibility.
I think Mike/Lawrosa was stating that the town should replace the expensive curb stop at their expense. Then the homeowner/OP can replace the inside valve easily as a DIY or for a couple hundred $$ for a plumber to do it.
#10
10-22-19, 07:42 PM
Super Moderator
Some towns where I live anything before the meter is the towns issue. I have had the municipality come out to change their valve so I could change the other when I was unable to turn off water at the street.
Regardless. Tell the water company you want an upgraded meter or a new meter. Its thier meter.They should change it at thier cost. There should be due process and dont let them give you hog wash and delay on why they cant change it.
Regardless. Tell the water company you want an upgraded meter or a new meter. Its thier meter.They should change it at thier cost. There should be due process and dont let them give you hog wash and delay on why they cant change it.
#11
10-22-19, 07:46 PM
Super Moderator
Another thing I would do, is many water departments have insurance. Pay the insurance for line repair/replace. Then after a few months spring it on them that there is a faulty valve... Lets see what happens then..
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Really appreciate your help.