JEFF DRESSNER wrote:

Good Evening everyone:

I am attempting for the first time to install new shut off valves under
my kitchen sink. The reason why I am replacing these valves is that I
noticed a leak coming from my kitchen spout. When I turned off the cold
water shutoff valve and turned the faucet on, no water came thru the
pipe. But when I turned off the hot water shut off valve and turned on
the hot water faucet, water still came out of the spout. I have located
the cold water valve to shut off the water to the entire house. Will I
have to drain my water heater so that no water comes out of the pipe
when I attempt to change the shutoff valves? I am new to this so any
help would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance
Jeffrey Dressner

No, not necessary to drain heater.

There may be other surprises waiting for you though
when you try to get the old valves off (depending
on lots of variables).

Here's a trick that may help- If the shutoffs look
like a common garden variety available today,
leave the valve body in and replace the stem
from an identical valve. Or...pull the stem
and rebuild (new washer). Still lots of gotchas
but take a look before getting in too deep...

Jim