Plumbing Valve Repair

A plumbing valve that's gone bad will show certain unmistakable signs—leaks being the most obvious. But a valve can be leaking and still not be the source of a major plumbing problem. In any case, if you can't see a clear source of water that's seeping into your living space, look for a bad valve. But what if the valve isn't leaking? Listen for irregularities in the water's flow as it passes through the valve. Does it sound like water is going through a car wash? Unusual noises can also signal a bad valve.

In a typical valve repair, you will need a couple of hand tools, which might include a wrench, screwdriver, and pliers. Pipe tape is helpful for sealing purposes, though you may need it only if the valve type suggests that it requires pipe tape for a proper seal. You might also need a new valve or new seal—recommended only if the prior inspection suggests that the old valve or seal is not functioning well. In terms of safety, gloves, and eye protection are a good idea to avoid valve-related injuries. That's more about maintaining your bodily parts in their current state than anything else.

To replace a valve seal, the first step is to turn off the water and drain the system. Then, after verifying that the workspace is safe, remove the valve handle using a screwdriver and wrench. Next, remove the assembly and locate the seal in question. Replace it and reassemble the valve. Return the water supply to service and check for leaks.

A new valve that continues to leak might be leaking because it was improperly installed or because a component is defective. Check all connections very carefully. Make sure they are tight, that they are not cross-threaded (which will happen if the valve was forced into a pipe), and that they do not contain any other installation problems that can be very hard to see and very easy to have happen. If you or someone else installed the valve, take a better look at this installation. This time, though, view it through the eyes of a professional plumber.

Generally, we do not recommend trying to fix a valve while the water is still on because this can cause damage and make a tricky situation even more complicated. Most valve repairs require that you first isolate the water to give you the access and the safety you need to work with the valve. If you try to do it under pressure, you're much more likely to end up with a really big leak or a serious plumbing component failure. Always shut off the water supply and drain the pipes before you attempt any valve repair.

Selecting a valve involves consideration of the plumbing system and valve application, yet ball valves hold a well-deserved reputation for durability and reliability. Typical materials of construction—brass, stainless steel, and other metal alloys—should provide a sufficiently tight seal and almost no wear throughout the valve's lifespan. An environment friendly to rust or corrosion can make valve selection a little more challenging, but the virtue of using an anti-corrosive valve is that you should be able to avoid the unseemly problems and "family dramas" that rust- and corrosion-prone valves can cause.

It is recommended that plumbing valves be inspected at least once a year to ensure they are working correctly. Look for signs of leakage, corrosion, or stiffness in operation during the inspection. If you see any of these things, you should investigate further or have a professional take a look. These inspections are a great way to catch potential problems with your plumbing system in their infancy before they grow into major issues. If you live in an older home, or one with plumbing that is frequently subjected to hard water, you may want to check your valves also at more frequent intervals.

Determining if an ancient valve should be mended or supplanted requires an understanding of the valve's state and the nature of its damage. Most currently used repair methods assume that the valve is not too old and that the damage is not too extensive. If the valve is showing significant wear, and if the damage is extensive enough that repair methods currently in use would not work or would not be cost-effective (e.g., by requiring too much maintenance or too many future repairs), then replacement is the surest means of obtaining a long-term outcome.

Valve failure commonly occurs because of several reasons, which can largely be lumped into corrosion, sediment, and seal failure. Valves can also be harmed by chemicals and heat, leading to wear and tear that can result in several valve types failing. Mechanical malfunction can also cause premature valve failure, often due to operator error. Of course, if you don't mitigate valve failure risks, then your plumbing problems could lead to a whole new set of unfortunate issues. Good valve practices could save you tons of money.

Teflon tape, sometimes referred to as pipe tape, can assist in forming a watertight seal in threaded connections. If you have a joint in your plumbing system that's threaded—it would be very unusual for there to be a joint in your plumbing system that isn't threaded or doesn't have a threaded cap—and if that joint is leaking, you can apply Teflon tape to help it not leak. But again, I must emphasize that this is a temporary measure. It shouldn't be viewed as a pathway to plumbing righteousness. Fix up, or have fixed, the parts of your plumbing system that need to be fixed.