I thought I was just going to need to change the parts inside the tank, but the water supply line (coiled) snapped right off at the base and it looks like some old hardware as the water supply line is attached to the brass fitting all as one piece (possibly soldered). Well, I went to Home Depot and bought a new water supply line and a new shutoff valve. Now, the first stupid question: Do I need to turn off the main water supply in order to change the shutoff valve? If so, how do I know where that is and which knob is the correct one?

Then, can I just unscrew the hardware and put on the new? If so, it seems like it is a pretty simple job. Please help, I really need to get this toilet back in working order. Thank you so much for anything anyone can tell me in advance!!!!

 

Yes you have to turn the main water line off, is on city water, turn it off at the meter, found near street.

Open outside hose bib to release the pressure.

Question is, does this shut off valve your wanting to replace, what type of pipe does it attach to?

 

Hi Sarena;
Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Plumber2000 is correct in stating the water will have to be turned off at the meter. However not all meters are at the street. Several states in the northern part of the country have the meters placed in the basement of the house. You will have to search around the house if you don't find it at the street. If the meter is in the basement it should be on the wall on the street side of the house.
Good luck and post back if you have other questions on this thread. Please use the reply button as this will bring your question back to the top.

 

Is there anything unique about the main water supply that would make it stand out? We have an irrigiation system and I am not sure what is for the irrigation system and what is the main water supply?

I am in Northern California, so there is no basement. I have found the water meter, but I do not see any valve to turn off there. I have a spigot in the front of the house that has three different knobs on it. One is for spigot, I believe one is for irrigation system, not sure about the other. Is there anything to make it stnad out from the others?

Also, I live in a townhouse and want to make sure I am not turning off the neighbors water supply at the same time. Thanks for you help.

 

You may need to call your building maintenance office or local water department and ask them where your shut off is. It should be at the meter. It doesn't have a knob as such to turn it off but rather a raised slot( l ) looks similar to a stove burner control knob. The raised part should be turned toward the meter( l ) and when turned off it is turned cross ways (-). Before you turn it off please notify your neighbors just incase you turn theirs off by mistake.The middle of a shower is not a good place to be when the water suddenly goes off.
Good luck and post back.

 

Thank you so much for all of your help!! I know exactly what you are talking about now. There is a dial by the meter and it is pointing straight at the house. I will make one-quarter turn to put dial in horizontal position to shut off the water and then I should be good to go.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this -- pitch dark here now, so I will take care of it in the morning light. I will keep you posted as to how it goes -- hopefully there will be no problems replacing the valve and water supply line.

I'll let you know as soon as I am done . . . or in need of more help!!

Thanks again!!

 

Majakdragon,

I am getting frustrated !! I turned the dial one quarter turn to the right so that it is in the horizontal position, however, the water is still on in the house. I am doing this correctly??

sarena

 

Sometimes they are a little off in their orientation. If you can enlist a friend to stand in the door while you move the shutoff handle while a faucet is running that may be quicker. Mine is off about an eighth of a turn. You may try turning on an outside faucet that you can see from the meter and do it that way. Good luck.
DUH. I had to edit this. Just turn on a faucet in the house and watch the meter face as you turn the valve handle. There is a hand that will move until the water is off. Need more coffee.LOL

 

Could be one that is a full half turn.

 

Okay, I am trying to turn it more but it is extremely difficult. I am using vise grips to turn it. I saw on some of the websites where there is a special wrench that you have to use. Am I going the wrong route and forcing this to no avail? If so, what kind of wrench is it and can I pick one up at Home Depot? They are only a few blocks away so it is no big deal. Thanks for your help!

 

If this valve shut off is on the city side and not the house side of the meter, you better off calling you city water works company out to shut it off, most will do this for frre, last thing you will want to do is break there valve, they can make you pay for it if you break it.

 

Okay, guys, thanks for all of your help!! I finally got the water to shut off and finally got the old shutoff valve off only to find that I need a threads IN shutoff valve and I bought a threads out shutoff valve. So, it's back to Home Depot. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted. Thanks again!!!!

sarena

 

Could have been worse. Could have had to "sweat" the part on. This would have meant going back to HD to get Torch,solder,flux, and a book on how to sweat copper. Glad to see that you have the easiest of the bunch.

 

Okay Guys,

I replaced the shutoff valve and it is working great. The water is back on and I replaced the tank (was in the way), put in the flush valve assembly, attached the water supply line, turned the water on and there's water coming out of every direction from the supply line through the metal connection between the vinyl braided hose and the coupling nut. Did I buy a cheap water supply line or could I be missing a washer or something?? The supply line was sold separately, with no washers or other parts, including directions. Can you help??

LET ME ADD SOMETHING: There is a captive cone washer inside the coupling nut already but other than that, there is nothing else. Also, the lock nut is on and there is no leaking fromt here. It all seems to be coming from the metal part mentioned above.

sarena

 

There is normally a rubber washer built into the nut on the supply line. It doesn't normally come out but I suppose it is possible. Have you tried to tighten the nut further? Possibly its not tight enough. If there is no washer built into the supply I would take it back to HD and get a different one with a washer.

One question before hand.
Did the new supply valve you installed have a nut on the discharge that goes to the toilet? If it did, did you remove this nut and screw the supply line on to the valve? If this is the case did it have a small brass piece ring inside of it?
If this is the case you will have to go back to HD and get a supply line made for compression fitting at the valve end.
Post back before you go running around if possible.

 

Majakdragon,

I know exactly what you are talking about, it's a little brass ring. But, the ring was too large so I just screwed it directly on and there is no problem at the base of the shutoff valve. The whole problem is at the base of the tank where the supply line connects to the flush valve assembly. The water is all leaking from the small metal piece in between the coupling nut and the flexible supply line. The lock nut and the coupling nut are plenty tight, I am afraid to tighten it any more than it already is.

sarena

 

I am rather befuddled now. That captive cone should seal at the toilet connection and push against the nut on the tubing to seal it. Not sure what to tell you this time. Sorry. If I get a brainstorm I will post back. Just one thing, it couldn't have cross threaded could it? That would make it appear
tight but not be.
Post back

 

I know this is going to sound silly but it worked for me. Look at the supp;y line and check to see that the nuts are the same size on both ends. If they are take the supply line off and flip over end to end. Reconnect it and see if the leak stops. No rhyme or reason for this that I could see but it stopped my leak on a faucet. One end leaked and when I flipped it over and put that end at the bottom it stopped.

 

I keep thinking it has to have something to do with the flexible supply line. I just changed the flush valve assembly in my kids' bathroom and had no problem, but that was with the metal spiral tubing where I had to add the cone washer myself.

I cannot call a plumber . . . way too expensive!! HELP!!

sarena

 

No need to call a plumber. I would take the supply line back and tell them that it will not seal off. Hopefully the Plumbing attendant is there and not the guy from lumber who is covering.
The cone washer may be defective and unable to seal.
Flex lines are good IMO. They make it easier to install in tight places.
Good Luck

 

Thanks, I have had it for today, I am completely frustrated and had enough. I will return to Home Depot tomorrow and get a new one and try it again. Thanks for all of your help. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow . . . and I thought I could have all three toilets done on Wednesday!!

Good Night,

sarena

 

Majakdragon,

Well, it's back to Home Depot again. FYI . . . good idea about flipping the supply line, however, unfortunately one is 1/2" and the other is 7/8". I will keep you posted.

sarena

 

You guys are the BEST!! SUCCESS!! Actually, it was mine own ignorance that was the problem the whole time!! When I put the flush valve assembly in, I don't know what I was thinking, but I put the old shank washer on on top of the new shank washer !! Once I realized what I had done and removed the old shank washer . . . VOILA !!

A lot of wasted time and a lot of frustration, but I really feel good and I have learned a lot. Thanks again for all of your help! I have one more toilet to go and then I will be done!! Wish me luck!!

sarena

 

I love it when a plan comes together.
Good luck with the last one. Hopefully you will just be sending us a message saying it went together fine and no problems were encountered. However if you need us we are only a mouse click away.
Good luck with this and any future projects you may have.

 

Thanks Majakdragon!!

You rule!! You're a lifesaver!!

sarena