It is a good idea to replace these kitchen water shut offs?
#1
02-09-20, 03:53 PM
It is a good idea to replace these kitchen water shut offs?
Under my kitchen sink, the two shut offs are 3-way valves (for the dishwasher and ice maker) with one shut off for both. A few months ago, I replaced the faucet and when I shut them off, they did not fully shut off and dripped a bit so I had to shut the main off. I was thinking about replacing them but they are compression fittings and I was worried about not being able to get the ring off or damaging the pipe or having a leak and figured I better leave it alone. I am thinking about them again because I am going to be getting new appliances and will have to shut them off. Would you guys replace these or leave well enough alone? I never would have discovered that they don't shut off all the way if I hadn't replaced the faucet so who knows how many shut off valves out there do not fully close since people don't shut them off that often.
Top Answer
02-09-20, 04:42 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Leave the nut and ring on and just replace valve. Have never had a problem with that as long as they are not damaged which is very rare.
#3
02-09-20, 04:21 PM
I am concerned about if the compression ring is stuck and I have to remove it that I might damage the pipe. If the ring is on there good, can I resuse it and the nut that is behind it?
#4
02-09-20, 04:41 PM
Member
You shouldn't have to remove the valve if you want to rebuild it. Just take off the handle, unscrew the bonnet or gland nut and pull out the stem. Replace the washer.
If you want to replace the valve you should be able to use the existing ring, but in my experience it's usually damaged or the fit is not quite snug enough for a new compression fitting. Personally I don't like it, but many plumbers will and can reuse existing rings. Lubricate the thread and ring for a better fit. Do you have any play in the pipes? Just enough to engage a Sharkbite valve after you cut off the compression ring. You can also make up the lose of pipe by adding a threaded adapter and use a threaded shut off valve.
Can you send a picture of your set up?
If you want to replace the valve you should be able to use the existing ring, but in my experience it's usually damaged or the fit is not quite snug enough for a new compression fitting. Personally I don't like it, but many plumbers will and can reuse existing rings. Lubricate the thread and ring for a better fit. Do you have any play in the pipes? Just enough to engage a Sharkbite valve after you cut off the compression ring. You can also make up the lose of pipe by adding a threaded adapter and use a threaded shut off valve.
Can you send a picture of your set up?
#5
02-09-20, 04:42 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Leave the nut and ring on and just replace valve. Have never had a problem with that as long as they are not damaged which is very rare.
joecaption,
XSleeper
voted this post useful.
#6
02-09-20, 04:46 PM
Member
After you repair or replace the valves, get into the habit of working them about once every three months or so to prevent the seals from drying out and cracking. Turn them all the way off, then fully open then back off about a quarter turn. You should never have trouble again.
#7
02-09-20, 05:40 PM
Group Moderator
Shutoffs are usually pretty easy to change... and if they leak or drip, I will replace them automatically. If it's a compression shutoff you can replace it with another compression shutoff. Or if you have enough pipe you can cut the old one off and replace it with any kind of new shutoff you like. I like the quarter turn shutoffs.
#8
02-09-20, 05:40 PM
Here are some pics of my setup. I can move one of the pipes back and forth a little but the one is pretty solid. So you think I am better off trying to just replace the washer?
#9
02-09-20, 05:45 PM
Group Moderator
If it stops dripping there is probably no need to do anything. The seals get dry if they aren't used regularly. So sometimes they leak for just a short time.
No way I would try to repair a part that only costs $8 to begin with.
If you replace, you just need to use 2 wrenches. You want to keep the shutoff stationary while you loosen the rear compression nut. Twisting the shutoff would twist the entire thing- including the copper pipe. (Bad)
No way I would try to repair a part that only costs $8 to begin with.
If you replace, you just need to use 2 wrenches. You want to keep the shutoff stationary while you loosen the rear compression nut. Twisting the shutoff would twist the entire thing- including the copper pipe. (Bad)
#10
02-09-20, 05:59 PM
Member
Those are cheapo's (see those plastic stem?). Most likely the washer snaps on to a nub. Usually they break. Not worth trying to repair. Get new ones. Agree with X, the quarter turns are nice.
It will be the worth the little extra work to replace them.
It will be the worth the little extra work to replace them.
#11
02-09-20, 09:17 PM
I have replaced compression fittings before, but this one just makes me a little nervous because it is so tight down there. On the valve in the bottom picture, the nut is almost touching the wall so there is not much room to back it out. But I guess i just have to crack it loose and then I can pull the whole valve forward, right? Anyways, when I do pull this out and if the compression ring is tight in place, do you then suggest just leaving that and the nut and attaching the new valve to it? Do they all have the same threads? I do like the quarter turn ones, as that is what I have in the rest of the house. I did see some three way shut off valves that have a separate shut off for each outlet. Are those a good idea so you can shut off the dishwasher or ice maker independently if you need to, or is it just something else to go wrong?
#12
02-10-20, 03:40 AM
Member
You'll need to try it one way or the other. Most likely you'll be OK. The worse that can happen is the old ring won't seal. Then you replace the whole thing. And if need be cut the wall to gain access to add more pipe. As far as the valve, choose what you feel you need. Do you need he separate shut off on each outlet?
#14
02-10-20, 05:30 PM
Member
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: San Diego Ca. USA
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Hi, I agree leave the nuts and feral, but be aware some brand of valves have different threads. Take the old valve with you and try the new nut on the valve if goes on easy that's the one you want.
Good Luck Woodbutcher
Good Luck Woodbutcher
#15
02-24-20, 01:59 PM
Ok, so the I checked again and the hot water one does not fully shut off but the cold does so I am just going to replace the hot because it is easier to get to and leave the other alone for now. So this is just a matter of pulling it off and if the ring is stuck, putting the new one back in the same place and tightening it up, right? Do I need to use any tape or anything? I know this should be a simple thing, but it just makes me a little nervous of not getting this back there right, then my whole house is without water.
#16
02-25-20, 05:50 PM
Member
If you can find new valves just like those that need to be replaced, you might be able to just replace the old valve stem with stems from the new valves. I got lucky and have been able to do that a couple times and avoided having to fully replace angle stops that were sweated on.
#17
02-25-20, 06:02 PM
Group Moderator
I leave the compression ring and nut on the pipe. And just change the shutoff. I have never seen one threaded differently that wouldn't work.
