I need to replace a worn out yellow ring on a Kohler toilet, but shut-off valve in back won't turn. Will have to turn off water to whole house. For some reason, my sister, a retired real estate agent, thinks doing so could cause a major plumbing problem. No, she did not specify. Thus, can I simply take the water hose out of the flush valve thing, fit it in a long vinyl tube that ends in the bathtub, and redirect the water for the few minutes I need to put a new ring on the flush valve? Seriously.
Can't Turn Off Water To Do Minor Repair
- Thread starter Autumn999
- Start date
Users who are viewing this thread
I would get the stop valve replaced. Shutting off the water during that work would not cause a plumbing problem.
However, to work on the flush valve without shutting off the water, can you pull up on a lever for the fill valve to stop the water? Maybe lash something up with strong string. Just routing the refill water to the tub is not going to keep other water from coming out of the fill valve.
But do know where the whole house shut off is, in case something goes wrong.
However, to work on the flush valve without shutting off the water, can you pull up on a lever for the fill valve to stop the water? Maybe lash something up with strong string. Just routing the refill water to the tub is not going to keep other water from coming out of the fill valve.
But do know where the whole house shut off is, in case something goes wrong.
Sponsor
Paid Advertisement
Thanks, I didn't know water could still come out of the fill valve. Which exact lever on the fill valve would that be? The plastic rod with the screw slot on top? And if that didn't work, would that mean the problem would be with the fill valve? (That's a repair I can't do, even though in looks easy in videos.) Yes, I know where the shut off valve is and was going to turn it off, until my sister voiced her concerns. It's been turned off in the past various times with no problems.
The house is 56 years old. All the pipes in the crawl space, as well as the main sewer pipe, were replaced 5 years ago. Inside, only pipes under some of the sinks have been replaced. Some place online, someone said sediment in old pipes can be loosened when the water is turned back on from a turn-off, which could drastically cut water pressure. Although last year, waterworks turned off water to all the houses on the street when installing new meters, and there were no problems.
The house is 56 years old. All the pipes in the crawl space, as well as the main sewer pipe, were replaced 5 years ago. Inside, only pipes under some of the sinks have been replaced. Some place online, someone said sediment in old pipes can be loosened when the water is turned back on from a turn-off, which could drastically cut water pressure. Although last year, waterworks turned off water to all the houses on the street when installing new meters, and there were no problems.
Okay, ended up not turning off water, but using a paint roller to keep the lever up on the fill valve. Worked great for keeping it up, but water still came out of tube to cannister valve. Thus, did reroute that water by putting the tube in clear vinyl tubing that reached the tub. Only problem was I couldn't get the cannister off to replace the yellow seal! In all the YouTube videos, everyone easily turned it counter clockwise and removed it. Mine did not remove. Maybe I should have tried harder, but feared breaking it and some type of plumbing disaster. Thus, got the plumber to come the next day. He easily turned off water using turn-off in back of toilet. He used pliers, something I did not use because once again feared breaking it and disaster. He replaced the seal, but also ended up replacing the fill valve. Took him no time at all and he said turn-off would be easier to turn in future now that it was recently turned.
