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Steps to Replace the Old Stop Valves

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“CMEC VALVE not only provide new quality civil valves,but also give you solutions to replace the old valves.”

 

You can spend time rebuilding the old valve, but the problems will just reappear years from now. The best way to deal with bad valves is to replace them with modern quarter-turn ball valves. They rarely lock up, leak or wear out and best of all, they'll take just an hour or so to install. Here's how to put them in.

Step 1: Identify the valve connection style

Stop valves connect to copper plumbing pipes in one of two ways: compression fitting or sweat fitting. Identify the connection type used in your home by referring to the photos. If you have an older home with galvanized pipes, we suggest hiring a plumber to do the switch out. Unscrewing the old valve and screwing on a new one may seem easy enough. But if the pipe is rusted internally or the threads are rotted, this “simple” plumbing job can turn into a plumbing nightmare. If your home is plumbed with PEX or plastic pipe, these instructions don’t apply.

 

Once you identify the connection type, buy a quarter-turn stop ball valve to match the size of the incoming copper pipe and the size of the supply tube connection. If you’re replacing a sweat valve, you’ll need a torch, flux, solder, emery cloth, wire brushes and a flame protection cloth to shield the wall. This is also a good time to replace an old supply tube and a corroded escutcheon (wall trim plate).

Step 2: Prepare for valve replacement

Shut off the water at the main stop valve. If you have a gas water heater, turn the knob to the ‘pilot’ position. Shut off the circuit breakers to an electric water heater. Then open a faucet on the lowest level of your house and another faucet on an upper level to drain the pipes. Then disconnect the supply tube from the shutoff valve. Replace the valve.

Step 3: After replacement 

Close the new valve. Then open the water-main shutoff valve and let the water run until all the air is out of the pipes. Then shut off the upper and lower faucets. Check the new valves for leaks. Turn the water heater gas valve back to ‘on’ or flip on the circuit breakers to the electric water heater.