How to Install a Stop-Shut Valve

A stop-shut valve is often referred to as a water-stop valve. The valve allows for the supply of water to be shut off to an individual appliance, like a faucet, without shutting off the water to the entire house. Installing a water-stop valve requires removing the old valve and replacing it with a new one. A new water-stop valve costs about $5, according to 2010 prices. The installation is accomplished in less than an hour.

• 1

  Shut off the supply of water by turning off the main water shut-off for the house.

• 2

  Remove the water-supply hose from the water-stop valve using an adjustable wrench.

• 3

  Cut the old water-stop valve off the water line if it was soldered on. Use a key-hole hacksaw and make the cut as close to the valve as you can and as straight as possible. If the old valve is a compression fitting, hold the water line with a pair of slip-joint pliers and remove the nut that holds on the valve using an adjustable wrench.

• 4

  Pull off the compression ring from the water line with a pair of slip-joint pliers.

• 5

  Place the nut that came with the new valve onto the water line, with the threads pointing out. Place the new compression ring that came with the new valve onto the end of water line. Place the ring so an inch of the water line is exposed.

• 6

  Insert the new valve onto the end of the water line and tighten the nut onto the valve. This will trap the compression ring between the nut and the valve, making a water-tight seal. Grasp the water line with a pair of slip-joint pliers and tighten the nut with an adjustable wrench. Do not over-tighten the nut. Turn on the water supply. If there are any drips, tighten the nut a little at a time until the drips stop.