With the winter days growing shorter, many people start to think about replacing their water valves under the kitchen sink. Replacing your shut-off valve may seem like a daunting task, but it should only take an hour or two and will pay off in saving you money on plumbing repairs.

How to Replace the Shut-Off Valve under the Kitchen Sink

One of the most common plumbing problems that you will encounter is a leaky or stuck-shut water valve. It's good to know that water valves can usually be turned off and on by twisting a handle, but some newer models might have a button for this purpose instead.

Follow these steps to easily replace the shut off valve under the kitchen sink:

1. Turn off the water to the sink:
2.  Locate the shut-off valve under the 

kitchen sink. Turn it clockwise until it is secure and no longer turning.

1. Remove water supply line:
2.  To remove the water supply line that is attached to the shut-off valve, hold a bucket under it and unscrew it by hand. Do not try to use pliers because this will damage the pipe and leave you with no ability to tighten the new line when reattaching it.
3. Remove old valve:
4.  Use a wrench to unscrew the large nut at the top of the shut-off valve. Loosen any connectors that are screwed onto pipes and then twist them off from the new shut-off valve.
5. Attach new shut-off value:

 Twist the connectors onto the replacement water supply line and tighten with your hands. Screw on the large nut at the top of the shut-off valve.

1. Attach supply line:

 Hold the bucket under the shut-off valve and then screw on the water supply line by hand.

1. Turn on water:

•  Turn on the water to test that pipes are not leaking inside of your walls or flooring, and make sure no further repairs need to be made before you turn off the water again.

1. Test for leaks:

•  Hold a small amount of water in a bowl and turn the valve back on. Check to see if any leaks are occurring where the new shut-off valve attaches to the pipes, and tighten with a wrench if necessary.

Tips for Successfully Replacing the Valve 

• Make sure the water is turned off before starting the repair. This can be done by turning the valve to the "off" position or by shutting off the main water supply to your home.
• Loosen any connectors that are screwed onto pipes and then twist them off from the new shut-off valve.
• Screw the new valve onto the pipe and tighten the nut at the top. Be sure to connect any connectors that were disconnected from the old valve.
• Turn on the water and check for leaks. If everything looks good, proceed to test the valve by turning it on and off.
• If for some reason there is no water pressure after installation, you'll need to clear out any of the old valves' remains before testing again. This can be accomplished with a strong blast of water from your garden hose.
• Turn off the main shutoff valve (if you have one) before testing your new valve.
• Turn the showerheads on full blast to check for leaks around the valves.
• If there are no leaks, you're done! Make sure to write down your shutoff valve's model number and purchase a replacement when needed.

This job is best delegated to a professional in case you have a leak or experience low water pressure.

Conclusion

Replacing a shut-off valve under your kitchen sink is an easy DIY project. You can turn off the water valve under your kitchen sink with a simple twist of the handle. There is no need to shut off the water from the main valve near your home's exterior.

However, there are some instances when you might want to get a new shut-off valve, such as if it leaks or breaks. If you're not sure about how to do this task, contact us! We'll be happy to provide advice and assistance when needed.