Install a water shut off valve: national average cost The national average materials cost to install a water shut off valve is $34.77 per valve, with a range between $32.53 to $37.00. The total price for labor and materials per valve is $190.92, coming in between $173.71 to $208.13.

Well, just as in the previous case, it is most generally due to outdated parts. Older angle stop valves, normally called 1-piece angle stop valves, were never designed to last. After 8-10 years OR EVEN JUST ONE USE AFTER INSTALLATION, the compression part of the valve, that actually stops the water, tends to fail.

1. remove the angle stop. Remove the Angle Stop. Disconnect the water line where it connects to the valve using a crescent wrench.
2. reattach new supply line and angle valve. Reattach the new Line and Valve.
3. remove the stem to clean it. Remove the Stem.
4. clean the stem and reattach. Clean the Stem and Reattach.

The most common failure found in an old shut-off valve is seizing. Another common failure is rubber stops or seals within the valve deteriorate and fail to abate the water flow completely.

You can expect a shut-off valve to last about 10 to 25 years, with an average of 20 years. But, if they are not “exercised” every year or two, there is good chance a valve will be freeze prematurely in the open position just when you really need it to close for a plumbing emergency or repair.

Since cut-off (shut-off) valves are rarely used, the washer inside the valve can become hard or covered with mineral deposits over time. When you close the valve then open it again, the washer on the valve stem may not seat properly, causing it to leak around the valve stem nut.

As for the isolation valve, I’m afraid they’re prone to leak at this point once disturbed especially budget ones. I would replace it when you get the chance.

Therefore plumbing isolation valves are indeed a gift from the heavens as far as DIY is concerned; BUT, always give your plumbing system plenty of respect, don’t try anything you’re not sure of, and be aware that like any plumbing fitting, isolation valves can fail.

I’m not a great fan of those types of isolator valves. They have their uses and will stop major water flow while changing components etc., but they do have a tendency to leak.

If this doesn’t work and the shutoff valve remains fixed in place, try heating the valve with a hair dryer. Spray down the valve again with the penetrating oil, and then try again with the wrench. Doing this over and over again, you should be able to loosen your stuck valve.

The only repair for a ball valve is replacing the packing washer. If the actual ball on the valve becomes deteriorated, it will leak. In that case, the entire valve must be replaced.

“To turn it off you’ll need a flat head screwdriver, the slot on the isolation valve should be following the pipe work, that’s when the water is on, if you give it a quarter of a turn in either direction the slot should be going across the pipe work, that’s how you know the isolation valve is in the off position.”

Look at the isolation valve. You can see what looks like a slot-headed screw. If the slot is parallel with the arrow on the valve, the water is flowing through the pipe. To stop it, take a flathead screwdriver and turn the slot 90 degrees (a quarter turn) so that it’s perpendicular to the arrow.