Discount faucet repair parts for the serious plumbing
do--it-yourselfer!

All faucet brand names are trademarks of the individual manufacturers.

Sink and Faucets with stop valves in the cabinet underneath.  Locate the stop valves in the cabinet under the fixture. Turn both hot and cold handles clockwise until they stop turning. Don’t be alarmed if drops of water come out from around the handle stem, this should stop when the valve is fully closed. Turn the faucet above “on” to relieve any pressure and to allow the fixture to drain.

Fixtures without stop valves or Tub and Shower valves where the main shutoff for the whole house must be turned off:
   Locate the main shutoff for your home. Many homes will have the main shutoff in the basement or near the foundation where the water main comes into the home. The main shutoff may also be located at the meter box on the street.  Ball-type valves  are shut off when the handle is crossways to the pipe to which they are connected. The valve shown at left is in the “on” posistion  as the handle is pointing parallel to the run of the  insulated pipe.
   Plastic ball valves like the one shown here are notorious for baking in the sun and having the handles break off when turned.....Be sure to use a two-handed grip and try to twist the center portion of the handle instead of prying on the the wing handles, especially if yours looks as ratty and oxidized as this one does!

Gate valves may need several turns of the handle before they shut off completely. Do not be alarmed at any water leakage around the handle shaft as the valve is being opened and  closed. this is very common and usually stops when the valve is fully opened or fully closed.
  IMPORTANT: When opening the valve to restore water  service, be sure to keep turning the handle until it stops. Gate valves typically need several turns to go from fully closed to fully opened. Leaving the  valve partially closed will result in water wearing out the “gate” in  the valve which will prevent it  from sealing effectively next time the valve is closed.

If there is no main shuttoff at the house, the water will have to be turned off at the meter. Look for a round or rectangular access cover marked “water” . Meter boxes are usually located near the property corner nearest the  street and may sometimes  be found  in the  sidewalk or on the border of  the street nearest the corner of the house where the main water line enters.

The meter box at right shows the  water meter (round thing at left), and the shut off valve at right. This particular valve  is a standard ball-type valve. Some main valves don’t have a handle; instead they have a square knob that is designed to be  turned with a “meter key”.  A meter key is a fork-shaped tool with a T-handle. Measure across the  square knob on your main shut off valve and trek to your local plumbing supply to purchase a meter key (they come in various sizes.). Cost should  be about $20. We would sell meter  keys  here, but due to the size and weight of a 2’ long hunk of iron, shipping fees would  cost more than the tool itself. Besides...you should have  one of these handy in case of a broken pipe anyway, so don’t waste time  ordering one online and paying shipping fees, go get the one you need at your local hardware store today! (Then buy our discount and quality parts from us!))