Replacing main water shut off valve

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Replacing main water shut off valve
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• Main water shutoff valves can become clogged with
  mineral deposits and grit, causing slow leaks.
  With the right materials and correct procedure,
  its a safe and easy repair. Its frustrating
  when you experience gradual leaks. And, whats
  the cause of those? Well, mineral deposits and
  grits could block off the cutoff valves!

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• Replacing the main shut-off valve is quite easy
  and requires three steps only. First, locate the
  valve, then test the valve. And finally, remove
  the valve and place a new one. While you replace
  it, make sure youre doing it fast. Otherwise,
  you might lose gallons of water.

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• Here are some tips about replacing the main water
  shut off valve

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• 1. Locate The Main Shut-off Valve
• Its a common problem finding the main shutoff
  valve. As its not located somewhere you can
  easily find it, most people cannot find it.

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• Firstly, look for the main water shutoff valve on
  the inside of your house. Itll usually be
  situated on the homes perimeter. This is where
  the water plunges into the house first. Also,
  this is where the water main generally starts at
  the street and runs straight to your house.

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• 2. Prepare the Work Area
• While the goal is to quickly and easily remove
  and replace the main water shutoff valve, its
  important to prepare the area to make the process
  as streamlined as possible.

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• Attach the jumper cables to the pipe on either
  side of the valve. The electrical system is
  commonly grounded through the main water line, so
  by attaching the jumper cables, you create a path
  for the electricity to flow in the case of a
  short in the system. Lay down a drop cloth and
  set up a bucket underneath the valve with a towel
  close at hand to wipe up any water that may miss
  the bucket.

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• Take out the flux paste, blow torch, grit cloth,
  pipe brush, new ball valve, pipe cutter, channel
  locks, fire extinguisher, soldering blanket, a
  roll of solder, gloves, and safety glasses.
  Arrange these supplies so that they are within
  reach and neatly organized.

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• 3. Turn off water
• Once youre oriented and know where your main
  water shut-off valve is, youll need to turn off
  the water. If you havent done this before or
  feel unsure how to do it, I recommend calling
  your water company to cut off the water to your
  house. Usually, they can do this the day you
  call.

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• Youll also want to make sure you have a plan of
  how youre going to replace your valve before you
  start cutting pipes open. Sometimes its as easy
  as changing the old valve to the new valve.
  However, in some cases, you need to do a little
  planning.

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• 4. Install the New Valve
• You probably have a 3/4-inches pipe leading to
  and from the leaky valve. Buy a threaded
  replacement ball valve its a far better choice
  than the older gate-style valve. Screw on the new
  ball valve, install the old nipple and the new
  leather washer (use Teflon tape or pipe dope on
  the threads). Tighten the coupling nut, turn on
  the water and check for leaks.

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• 5. Buy a Leather Washer
• Since you have to replace the leather washer, you
  have to get a new one. Leather washers are
  difficult to come by. So search for them in a
  plumbing supply store or search online. Some
  plumbing supply houses sell neoprene washers but
  neoprene ultimately dries up and cracks. So, I
  highly suggest going for a leather washer.

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• 6. Recharge the Plumbing System
• With the new valve installed and leak-free, you
  can recharge the plumbing system by turning on
  the water and opening nearby faucets. The water
  will slowly begin to pour out of the faucet,
  pushing air out of the system.

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• You will know that the system is fully recharged
  when there is no longer air coming out of any
  plumbing fixtures in the home, including faucets,
  showerheads, and toilets.

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• End Words
• Now you know how to replace the main shut-off
  valve without turning off the water. Weve given
  you the complete guide. But if you face issues,
  get a plumber to fix them.

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• Plumbing 911 is a family-owned and operated
  company servicing Medina, Stark, Portage, Summit,
  Cuyahoga, and Lake counties. If you need any help
  with replacing the main shut-off valve, our
  expert technicians will be able to remedy the
  problem for you.