When Was the Last Time You Exercised Your Cutoff Valves?

by Billy Aldridge

We all know that everything needs a little exercise from time to time.  This can include your children, your pets, your significant other and yourself.  Without exercise, the joints tend to stiffen and the blood flowing through your veins and arteries slows down.  Well your plumbing, as you have discovered from my past couple of blogs, is a lot like that too.  If you don't do everything in your power to keep pipes clean, well maintained and able to handle the flow of water, you could be headed for trouble.  While not as problematic as undergoing coronary bypass, the surgery necessary to repair neglected pipes and valves in your home is going to be a costly affair. Take it from a plumber.  So today I am going to tell you how to exercise the water cutoff valves around your home to keep them in proper working order.

29.Naivasha Water meter chamber (Photo credit: Sustainable sanitation)

First of all, there are two types of cutoff valves: the cutoff for the entire house and the cutoff valves under every sink, atop the water heater and behind the washing machine.  The main cutoff valve for your home is actually outside, either in your yard or on the sidewalk.    It is located in the same box that contains the water meter.  To access it you will need what's known as a meter key, which a t-handled contraption with a slotted end that is designed to turn the valve on and off.  You can purchase a meter key at most any hardware store. (See video below for step-by-step instructions.)  The only downside to shutting off the flow of water from this juncture is the fact that once it has been turned off, ALL of the water going to your home is suspended.

n8842958_35218222_6231 (Photo credit: bbickerton)

Fortunately, there is another way to shutoff the flow of water to individual locations in your home without leaving everyone high and dry.  Attached to every sink, water heater and washing machine are the other kind of water cutoff valves.  Even better still is the fact that these valves are designed to isolate hot or cold water. This means that if something breaks or leaks and you have to use the cutoff, you can shut down either the hot water or the cold water.  Unlike the main cutoff outside, closing these valves still leaves you with running water.

However, that doesn't mean much if the valves become frozen shut, which can happen if you don't  exercise them on a regular basis.  Over time, mineral deposits can build up and freeze these valves in place.  This doesn't sound like much of a problem now, but when a pipe bursts and water is shooting across the kitchen or bathroom, this is not the time you want to discover that the cutoff valve will not shut off.  Trying to employ a  brute force on a stuck valve of this type is more likely to cause yet more damage, since it is all too easy to sheer the pipe to which the cutoff valve is attached.

Therefore if you don't want to add insult to injury, not to mention a large plumbing repair bill, here is all you have to do to exercise your cutoff valves so that they work when you need them.

1. Every couple of months simply go from room to room where these valves are located and open and close them gently.
2. Make sure you support the valve with one hand while turning them on and off a couple of times with the other hand. (See video below)
3. If the valve won't budge, do not force it.
4. Instead, grab a can of WD-40 or some other lubricant and give the valve a spritz.  Then let the oil soak in for at least 30-minutes.
5. Try turning the valve by hand a second time.  If it is still stuck, have someone hold the base of the valve while you gently apply a wrench to try and loosen the valve. (And I mean gently.)
6. If the valve still won't budge you will in all likelihood need to have the valve replaced by a plumber.

To avoid costly repairs or even water damage to your home, take the time to exercise your water cutoff valves every few months.  This will keep them in top shape and able to do the job that they were designed to do.  Isn't it a shame it's not that simple to get everyone in your household on an exercise regimen that works?

Billy Aldridge is one of the Doctors of Plumbology at Aldridge and Sons Plumbing in Jacksonville, Florida.  For all your Jacksonville FL plumbing needs, go to 
http://plumbers-jacksonville-fl.com