How to Rebuild a Shut Off Valve | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace the shutoff valve underneath her kitchen sink.

Time: 1-2 hours
Cost: $30

Skill Level: Moderate

Tools List for Rebuilding a Shut Off Valve:
Wrench
Screwdriver

Shopping List:
Valve stem repair kit

Steps:

1. Shut the water off to the house.
2. Pull the handle off the shutoff valve using the screwdriver.
3. Loosen the gland nut behind the handle using the wrench.
4. Unscrew and remove the valve.
5. Screw in the new valve from the repair kit.
6. Tighten the gland nut back over the new valve with the wrench.
7. Put the handle back on with the screwdriver.
8. Turn the water back on.

Resources:

Everything else he used to repair the shutoff valve, including the wrench and the screwdriver, can be purchased at home centers and plumbing supply stores.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Rebuild a Shut Off Valve | Ask This Old House

[TooBlessedBabyDoll]

I just rebuilt my shut off valve under my kitchen sink. My 1st YouTube success!!🏆 Thanks for this video! ❤️

[togacruiser]

A very important step was left out. ALWAYS put a wrench or at least hold the pipe that goes into the wall so as not to over torque the soldered copper pipe. If you crank down on the large valve nut to loosen or tighten and pop the copper connection it’s plumber time.

[AAtta-]

Much appreciated the video. I had a shutoff for my humidifier that started leaking after 18 years and wouldn't turn off. Saw the video and purchased one at Home Depot and took 10min to replace.For those worried about plastic, I also saw metal replacements. Thank you This Old House. Great videos.

[rogerdevero]

You have the BEST 'How To' videos: clear and professionally produced. Thank You Romans 10:9-10

[rogeranderson]

Thanks for a great instructional video! .... the BrassCraft valve stem repair kit for $3.00 at Home Depot worked like a charm .... it also saved me a lot of time and trouble by not having to replace the shut-off valve 👍👍👍

[stever]

Rich finally used a smooth-jawed adjustable wrench to remove something instead of chewing it up with a pair of Channelocks!  I knew he had one in his tool bag; I think it just kept getting worked down to the bottom.  On a nut that size, he might have used the closed end of a combination wrench to ensure he didn't round-over the nut; just an observation.  I think many of us would have changed out the entire valve, but he did this repair to show us an alternative and to save the homeowner some money.

[reggie]

The place near me doesn't sell the kit, but they do sell replacement washers. I brought the stem with me and they fit it on right there.

[rcusa]

Great instructional video by Richard, and smart homeowner. Because it shows one of the advantages of Brasscraft Multi-Turn valves vs Solid Metal (e.g. Brass) 1/4 Turn valves--they can be repaired easily. But, it also shows the disadvantage of Multi-Turn values vs Solid Metal 1/4 turn valves---they have rubber seals that deteriorate. Multi-Turn valves are best for tight spaces behind/under toilets because of the fact they are so easy to repair when a Toilet is in your way. But, everywhere else, Solid Metal 1/4 turn valves are the best choice. The argument about the plastic stems in multi-turn valves in not a big deal in my experience since the rubber seals deteriorate long before there are any plastic issues--unless of course there are young children in the house who like playing with the valves; then, it should be Metal all the way!.

[Wesmancan]

I still love this show. Have been watching forever. Very informative.

[DuncanCunningham]

i'd probably of taken the washer off the new one and put it on the brass fitting and reused that.

[maximusmax]

I just came from a plumbing supply retailer, who told me stop valves are not rebuildable. He said, "Most people just replace them." I said, "Yeah, but I don't have the tools and equipment to replace it, I wanna just rebuild it." Not to mention the fact that the valve is in a tight spot, which isn't easily accessible. I think for a few bucks, I'm gonna give a rebuild kit a shot. For the cry-eye!

[jjj-izpp]

Beside turn off main shut off valve, do you need to turn off water heater valve?

[dk-jyug]

I had the same issue when I replaced my kitchen faucet, that one of the shutoff valves didn't completely shut the water off. I went ahead and replaced my faucet anyway. I just put a bucket under the valve to catch the water. The water coming out of the valve did make it more difficult to put the teflon tape on the valve threads before connecting the supply line to the new faucet. But I managed to do it, so it is possible.

[irrelevant]

This was a very helpful video! Thank you very much for taking the time to post it.

[poma]

Thank you for making this video. It saved me so much time and hastle.

[TechmattOfficial]

At least she was smart enough to make sure the water completely stopped before taking the sink apart.

[arttra]

Actual taps get used all the time and take years to break down. These shut of valves never get used but they are always knackerd madness.

[ScubaCat]

It's just a 00 washer. No need to get rid of the brass.

[bbishop]

Will the repair kit work on a straight valve? Ours comes up through the floor. Thank you.

[MRrwmac]

Richard, I’m guessing you (being the old professional that you are) didn’t leave that plastic piece in but pulled it out after the cameras were off and replaced it with the metal part but with a new washer???