Angle stop replacements can often help to keep household plumbing in good condition. Angle stops may be located under the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink and the toilet. Unfortunately, these parts sometimes fail after a few decades of disuse and corrosion, and replacing them becomes necessary.
Start by shutting off the water supply to the house as well as the shutoff valve behind the hot water heater. Open the faucet above the leak and run it until the water stops flowing. Then, disconnect the lines that connect the stops and the faucets, and move them away from the repair area.
To remove the valves, turn them clockwise using a crescent wrench. When the mechanism has loosened, grasp it and turn it manually until it comes loose from the pipe. If the fitting is a compression fitting, use channel lock pliers to grip the compression collar while using a crescent wrench to turn the fitting.
Take the stops to the hardware store and purchase two identical new stops. If needed, speak to someone knowledgeable in the plumbing department and ask them to find an exact replacement. Before screwing the stops back into place at home, wrap the ends of the pipe or the compression stop with Teflon tape.
Once the stops are installed, they should be turned off by spinning them fully to the right. Then, turn the water supply on and check to ensure that there are no leaks. If no leaks are present, reconnect the water lines.
If the faucet is not yet connected to stops using flexible lines, take the time to purchase flex lines at the hardware store and replace your old metal water lines. Also, before changing the entire valve, try turning the packing nut underneath the valve knob to see if the leak stops. Be careful not to apply too much torque to any valve as the plastic parts may become damaged or break.
Of course, it’s never wrong to seek professional assistance with this task and as your premier plumber in Murrieta and Temecula, Wells Plumbing can get the job done quickly, effectively, and affordably! Call us today!
