Example of Main Water Shutoff Gate Valve
How To Add A Main Water Shutoff
Do you have a older home with a main water shutoff valve that looks like this? Does it leak when you turn it off? Do you have a main water shutoff that is inaccessible?
Having a good easy to access working main water shutoff valve cannot be underestimated. There are times when you need to shutoff the entire water supply to your house:
Why Shut Off Main Water Supply?
- During plumbing maintenance in your home
- In case of an emergency leak
- To allow draining of pipes in vacation home in preparation for winter
- To turn water off while you are away on vacation
You may have heard horror stories about someone returning from vacation finding major water damage in their home caused by a broken ice maker, washing machine line, freezing pipe failure, running toilet, etc. The last one happen to me and needless to say it was a disaster. If you have a reliable shutoff valve in a good location, it's an easy task to shut your water supply off before you leave you house unattended for a few days.
Many homes have a “gate” valve like the one shown in the picture. Not unlike a garden spigot you may have used on the outside of your house, this valve operates by turning the round handle clockwise multiple times to turn the water off. If you have every done this, you may find with the water supply off, the gate valve will start dripping. This is very common. Of course, you don't want your shutoff valve leaking while you're off on vacation or at any other time.
If you have a leaking value when its turned off, can the valve be fixed? The short answer is yes. Should you attempt the fix? That's a whole other question and I have an alternate solution that might work for you.
Why not just repair the leaking gate valve shutoff?
You could try tightening the packing nut (the big nut under the handle) or replace the packing under the nut. You can find directions on how to do this. But do you really want to mess with a 30, 50, or 70 year old valve and chance you might make it worse? A dripping valve is bad but a broken one is a disaster.
Why not just replace the current shutoff valve?
To do so, you'll have to shut your water supply outside your house at the "curb valve". This is where the city would turn your water off if you haven't paid your water bill. To operate this value, a special key or wrench is needed. In some towns, its not even legal for you to touch the curb valve. You may have to call the city water department (possibly for a fee) to come out to your house to turn off your water outside. With the water off at the curb, you then could replace the gate valve (and have the city come back out when you're done).
Don’t want to attempt to repair or replace your current main water supply gate valve for these reasons, then consider adding a second main shutoff valve.
Why Add a Second Main Water Supply?
- Current shutoff valve leaks when turned off
- Second shutoff can be placed in easy access location
- Can install more reliable 1/4 turn quick on/off valve
- No need to turn off city water supply
Steps to install a new secondary main water shutoff value.
STEP 1 Locate Main Shutoff Valve & Determine New Value Location
Every house is different but here an example of a water supply for a typical house. The city water pipe enters the house and is usually followed close by with the main shutoff. The water supply then passes through the water meter then finally to the house.
When selecting the location of the new shutoff value, consider a location that is easy to access.
STEP 2 Determine Pipe Type & Size
In the location where the new valve is to be installed, examine the pipe and determine its type and size. You could have copper, galvanized, PVC, or PEX. Identify the pipe type and note it’s size. You can check out these guides which provide more details on various plumping pipe types.
STEP 3 Buy New Shutoff Valve
The best type of valve for a shutoff is a 1/4 turn ball valve. This valve provides reliable operation with a quick 1/4 rotation of a straight handle. Of course, you’ll need to purchase a valve that matches the size and type of your pipe.
Copper pipe is one of the more common home pipe types. If you have copper pipe, you have some choices in the connection type. The most reliable connection will be a soldered joint but installing this type of joint will require a torch and some knowledge of soldering to “sweat” a pipe. If you're familiar with sweating pipe connections, this may be the way to go. A little more DIY friendly type of installation is a compression type connection. A compression valve installation can be a breeze and it only requires a couple wrenches and no specialty tools like a torch. Another option is a SharkBite fitting which slides on with no tools required. This is type of fitting is convenient but may not be as durable as a compression fitting and might not be a good choice for a valve that’s going to get a lot of use.
Example of 3/4" Copper Compression 1/4 Turn Ball Valve
For pipe type other than copper, find a 1/4 turn ball valve that matches your pipe size and type.
STEP 4 Turn Off Main Shutoff Valve
Turn the main water supply valve off. Open faucets in the house to drain as much water as possible from the system.
STEP 5 Cut Pipe & Install New Valve
BEFORE YOU CUT ANY PIPE, DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU ARE CUTTING ON THE HOME SIDE OF MAIN SHUTOFF NOT THE CITY SIDE.
Sometimes in the home, it may not be obvious which side of the valve is the city supply. The last thing you want to do is cut the city side of the pipe and spring a leak that can’t be turned off until a city worker comes out to your house and turns the curb valve off. You can confirm the water flow direction by checking the water meter for a flow direction arrow.
Here's a video with an example installation of a compression type ball valve:
Follow a similar procedure for the valve and pipe type you have in your home.
STEP 6 Add Support to New Valve
Since you may be using the valve frequently, make sure to take the time and add support to ensure to valve is securely supported. Also, make sure the pipe clamp material is compatible with your pipe. For example, use copper pipe clamps with copper pipe to avoid corrosion that can happen with dissimilar metals.
STEP 7 Turn Both Valves On & Check For Leaks
Finally, with the new valve in place in the off position, turn the old main water shutoff on, if you don’t see any leaks go ahead and turn the new valve on and shut off any faucets you may have opened earlier. Check for leaks.