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hunternm

shutoff valve replacement

3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

my toilet had a leak and water dripped along the supply hose and eventually get on the shutoff valve and the covering plate ( not sure about the correct name. If you know what it is called please let me know because i am having a hard time to find the replacement part). did not know how long the leak was but was long enough that the covering plate is completely rusted. The room underneath is unfinished and I noticed water dripping along the copper pipe and that was how I found out the leakage. Now I am ready to replace the toilet and think it is the best to replace the shutoff valve and the covering plate as well. I have a few concerns though:

1. it looks like the water found its way underneatch the baseboard. don't know how serious it was. Do i need to pop the basement open and check based on what showed in the picture?

2. I will need to turn off the water for the whole house. I saw one valve before the meter and one valve behind the meter. It is the best to shut off which valve or both?


Comments (10)

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Yes, I would shut off the water, pry off the baseboard, and check it all out. Once you have it all out of there, you can clean that grout and tile floor really good before you put anything back together. If you can see that area from under the house, or from a basement, it would be a good idea to take a good look at it too, to make sure the floor isnt rotten under there.

    Lauren De Buyer thanked cat_ky
  • 3 years ago

    Escutcheon?

    Lauren De Buyer thanked A Mat
  • 3 years ago

    It's called an escutcheon, and every hardware and big box store carries multiple styles and sizes. Get a plastic one that looks like chrome so it doesn't rust from condensation (or hopefully not a future leak).

    Lauren De Buyer thanked catbuilder
  • 3 years ago

    If you are replacing the supply pipe, you can use a one-piece escutcheon. Just don't forget to slip it over the pipe before you install the rest of the components.

    I second the suggestion to get a chrome plated plastic one, too. And replace the shutoff valve with a quarter turn ball valve.

    It is also a good idea to operate the shut off valve every few months. Just turn it off and then turn it back on a couple/ three times.

    Lauren De Buyer thanked ci_lantro
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Although I like 1/4 shutoff valves, there may not be anything wrong with that one. Just replace the escutcheon with the type in the photo. You don't need to replace the pipe, or do anything else other than clean things up. You don't need to make this a bigger deal than it is.

    you can simply raise the current escutcheon up and snip it with tin shears or diagonal cutting pliers, clean the floor with vinegar and put your new escutcheon in place. Project done.

    Lauren De Buyer thanked Jake The Wonderdog
  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Cut that escutcheon out and replace with the pictured hinged version please. Leave the valve.

    Lauren De Buyer thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
  • 3 years ago

    Thanks for all the comments. The valve might be 20 years old. is it okay to keep it?

  • 3 years ago

    Every time I have to work on plumbing with one of those valves like yours, I replace it with a quarter turn ball valve. I hate standing on my head and twisting and twisting the valve handle to operate it--worse under a vanity.

  • 3 years ago

    Angle stop valves are notorious for going bad over time. I live in a high rise building and the building has annual inspections where they test all of the angle stops in each unit.


    If they aren't working properly then the owner has to fix them because in the event of any kind of leak or overflow not being able to shut off water to the toilet or sink can have catastrophic consequences for everyone below or even to the side.


    My point is that if you are working on the plumbing fixture, use the opportunity to update everything since it is all accessible - water is turned off and the proactive fix will prevent future more expensive issues