I've got a toilet with a stubborn shut-off valve that won't stop the water supply. I found some DIY steps online, but I want to double-check my plan before I start. My steps are:
1. Turn off the water supply for the whole house.
2. Drain the water by running the sinks.
3. Replace the old valve with a new one.
4. Reconnect the toilet.
5. Turn the water back on.
Is this the right process? I'm just worried about water spraying everywhere in my bathroom!
2 Answers
Just a note from someone who's been there: getting the old valve off can be tough, especially if it's been on for a long time. If anything goes wrong, you'll want to be able to finish the job so you can turn the water back on. I suggest doing this early in the day on a weekday, just in case you hit a snag and need to call a plumber.
Yeah, never hurts to have a backup plan! Plumbing can get messy.
You'll want to do a bit more than just running the sinks. Make sure you flush the toilet after turning off the water to empty the tank too, and always have a bucket and towels ready for any leaks. Also, consider replacing the supply line while you’re at it, unless it’s new. Just a heads up, when you replace the valve, you might need to cut the pipe if it's stuck, and you should practice if you're new to it!
Good point! I guess it makes sense to have everything empty before I start.
Yeah, those pipes can be tricky. You might have to cut them depending on the situation.
Great advice! I’ll save this project for a Tuesday morning.