Anything I should watch for in shutting off the water main
 

The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is stuck
open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones while
replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water utility
valve is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.

I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC pipe
poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess I'll
have to call the utility company. One way or another, the water main
has to be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can come
after the new valves work.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last thing
I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face when I
pull the old shutoff valves. Is there anything I need to do in relation
to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?

Adam Preble wrote:
The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is stuck
open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones while
replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water utility
valve is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.

I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC pipe
poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess I'll
have to call the utility company. One way or another, the water main
has to be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can come
after the new valves work.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last thing
I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face when I
pull the old shutoff valves. Is there anything I need to do in relation
to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?

It just occurred to me a PVC pipe would make a terrible water main
access. Ignore that.

water drains by gravity to its lowest point or lowest open faucet.
you can relieve any hot water pressure after you turn off the water
supplying the tank. just drain a gallon or two of hot water from the
spigot at the bottom of your hot water heater.

if your neighbor's home is similar to yours just ask them to show you
their water main shutoff location.

Adam Preble wrote:
The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is stuck
open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones while
replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water utility
valve is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.

I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC pipe
poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess I'll
have to call the utility company. One way or another, the water main
has to be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can come
after the new valves work.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last thing
I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face when I
pull the old shutoff valves. Is there anything I need to do in relation
to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?


Make sure you shut off the water heater before you shut off the water.
Open the highest and lowest valves to allow the water to drain from the
pipes.
--
Tom Horne

Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.

There is usually a shut off on either side of the water meter. Since they
probably havent been turned in many years they are probably in just as bad
shape as the other valves. In my town if you call the city, they will come
out and find the outside access point for you and turn it off on request.

"HorneTD" wrote in message
nk.net...
Adam Preble wrote:
The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is stuck
open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones while
replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water utility valve
is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.

I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC pipe
poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess I'll have
to call the utility company. One way or another, the water main has to
be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can come after the
new valves work.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last thing
I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face when I
pull the old shutoff valves. Is there anything I need to do in relation
to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?


Make sure you shut off the water heater before you shut off the water.
Open the highest and lowest valves to allow the water to drain from the
pipes.
--
Tom Horne

Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.

Adam Preble, 10/2/2005,8:36:20 PM, wrote:

The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is
stuck open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones
while replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water
utility valve is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.

I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC
pipe poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess
I'll have to call the utility company. One way or another, the water
main has to be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can
come after the new valves work.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last
thing I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face
when I pull the old shutoff valves. Is there anything I need to do
in relation to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?

My house has two shutoff valves. One is in the garage near the water
heater. The other is in the master bathroom. Are you sure you've
checked your entire house?

--
"Golf is the hardest game in the world to play, and the easiest to
cheat at." -- Dave Hill

That PVC pipe sounds to me like access to a sprinker system turn off valve.
There is usually a turn off valve where the pipes enter the house.


"Jmagerl" wrote in message
...
There is usually a shut off on either side of the water meter. Since they
probably havent been turned in many years they are probably in just as bad
shape as the other valves. In my town if you call the city, they will come
out and find the outside access point for you and turn it off on request.

"HorneTD" wrote in message
nk.net...
Adam Preble wrote:
The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is stuck
open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones while
replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water utility
valve
is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.

I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC pipe
poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess I'll
have
to call the utility company. One way or another, the water main has to
be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can come after
the
new valves work.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last
thing
I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face when I
pull the old shutoff valves. Is there anything I need to do in
relation
to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?


Make sure you shut off the water heater before you shut off the water.
Open the highest and lowest valves to allow the water to drain from the
pipes.
--
Tom Horne

Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.

This seems to really depend on your location. Here in MN, the meter is in
the basement and there's a couple shutoffs there, on either side. As I
understand it in warmer climates the meter is outside, on the curb, and
that's where you shutoff will be too. I think you need some sort of special
key to shut it off there. I would also think there'd still be some 'master'
shutoff within the house in this case (e.g. near the water heater or
softener) but never lived in the south.

-Tim

If you shut off the water main, and then open both faucets on the laundry
sink in the cellar, there won't be any pressure in the system. So, you won't
have to shut off the water supply to the water heater. D'uh.

Unless you meant something different like shut off the electric or natural
gas source of heat.

--

Christopher A. Young
Do good work.
It's longer in the short run
but shorter in the long run.
..
..


"HorneTD" wrote in message news:0V%%e.8618

Make sure you shut off the water heater before you shut off the water.
Open the highest and lowest valves to allow the water to drain from the
pipes.
--
Tom Horne

Well we aren't no thin blue heroes and yet we aren't no blackguards to.
We're just working men and woman most remarkable like you.

The shutoff valves under my kitchen sink are busted. The hot is stuck
open and both generally look bad. I plan to install new ones while
replacing the hose attachment. Furthermore, the cold water utility
valve is leaking. I have quite the work ahead of me.
CY: You should find out if the pipes coming out of the wall are copper, or
galvanized. Do the shutoffs sweat on, or thread on? That will affect things.


I think I've located the water main. There's a large-diameter PVC pipe
poking out beside the driveway. If that's not it, then I guess I'll
have to call the utility company.
CY: Probably in the cellar, if your h ouse has a cellar. Or in a cabinet
some where.

One way or another, the water main
has to be shut down while I do most of the repairs--the hose can come
after the new valves work.
CY: Since you have to work on it, get em both at the same time.

I'm curious how the water heater plays into all of this. The last thing
I need is water--especially the hot water--sprayed into my face when I
pull the old shutoff valves.
CY: If you shut off the water main, then the next thing is to open the
lowest faucet (probably the laundry sink in the cellar) and leave them open
while you're working. That will reduce the chance of leaks.

Is there anything I need to do in relation
to my hot water heater to complete the shutoff?
CY: You don't need to close any water valves for the WH. But, it's a good
idea to shut off the heat source. Electric WH, shut off the breaker. For gas
WH, turn the white knob (on top of the gas valve) from "ON" to "PILOT". And
remember to turn it back on when you're through.

According to Stormin Mormon :
If you shut off the water main, and then open both faucets on the laundry
sink in the cellar, there won't be any pressure in the system. So, you won't
have to shut off the water supply to the water heater. D'uh.

It's a good idea to shut off the water supply to the water heater because
trying to drain the lines while working on the supply end could end up
having to drain the whole HWT. Turning off the HWT water ensures you
don't have to refill it again.

Unless you meant something different like shut off the electric or natural
gas source of heat.

When working on the water supply, it's always a good idea to turn off
the water heater. Especially if you're going to drain the tank.

The quickest way to burn out HWT electric elements is to supply power to
it while the elements aren't immersed.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.