How do I add a shutoff valve when i can't shut off the water

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boutwater

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Hello,

I have a duplex where the cold water shutoff valve started leaking after I used it. I noticed on here that you can try to tighten the packing nut to see if that fixes it, and if not, you need to replace the valve. I will try tightening the nut first, but since it's a ways away from where I live, I figured I'd do my other research ahead of time. My problem is, I don't have any more upstream valves to shut the water off with. I noticed there is a valve on the other side of the water meter that looks like it's in worse shape (I don't want to try turning that off for fear it will start leaking too). Is there some sort of valve that you can screw onto 3/4" copper while the water is still running through it? My guess is no, because I don't see how that would be possible, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Any other ideas for me? Thank you for any advice you can give,

Ben
 
boutwater said:
Hello,

I have a duplex where the cold water shutoff valve started leaking after I used it. I noticed on here that you can try to tighten the packing nut to see if that fixes it, and if not, you need to replace the valve. I will try tightening the nut first, but since it's a ways away from where I live, I figured I'd do my other research ahead of time. My problem is, I don't have any more upstream valves to shut the water off with. I noticed there is a valve on the other side of the water meter that looks like it's in worse shape (I don't want to try turning that off for fear it will start leaking too). Is there some sort of valve that you can screw onto 3/4" copper while the water is still running through it? My guess is no, because I don't see how that would be possible, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Any other ideas for me? Thank you for any advice you can give,

Ben
Click to expand...

If both valves at the meter are in bad shape you can always call the city and have them turn the water off at the B-box.
 
Definitely call the city and do not mess with the valve(s) at the meter. Up to the meter it is their responsibility and if something goes south while you are working on it, you not only could have a flood, you would be held responsible. From the meter on to you house is yours. Your new valve should be a 1/4 turn ball valve.
 
In some places, you own the line from the street.

If you can't shut it off, there are ways...they make tools to freeze the line, there is an (expensive) tool that clamps around the pipe, cuts a hole, and inserts a valve in the hole while there's pressure. then, you remove the tool and have a new shutoff in place.

By far, the least expensive way is to have the city shut the water off while the work is done. Note, that that shutoff may not work really well, either. To solder a new valve, you can't have any water. If it is a pipe thread, a small flow (dribble) is doable. If you use a full-port shutoff, they also make another tool (JetSwet sp?) that you slide in the pipe. It has an expansion plug on it that blocks the flow. You slide the valve over it (thus the need for a full port one - i.e., a certain kind of 1/4-turn ball valve), solder it in place, then pull the plug out through it.
 
Wow, thank you very much for the great info...especially about the tools that you mentioned in the last post. I appreciate all your info. Wish me luck this weekend.
 
Valves using compression connections can also be easily installed if the water can't be completely shut off or the pipe emptied enough to sweat.
 
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