Plumbing Help! Because aparently everyone needs it!

Hello, Okay so ive been checking out older condo's with an invester. One big thing that ive noticed so far


- Main shut off valve for the intire unit

These valves do not last the intire life of the home. I would recomend to have them changed once every 10 years or as soon as you notice it's not working anymore. the same goes for all other valves in your home which; When closed still weep or leak.

As for the main unit(home) shut off valve you'll have to get a city person or plumber to turn off the main line outside the home for you. Then Drain down the intire home, usually at the lowest point. most of the time this will be at the main shut off or cold side of the hot water tank.
The next step is to cut out the old valve. If meter'd do not tamper with the meter or Pressure reducing valves. try to replace the old globe style valve with a newer Full port ball valve. Remember keep the valves 100% open or 100% closed try not to "throttle" valves as it will prematurely wear out the seats. The seat is what keeps the valve from leaking.

Test old valves

An easy way to test an old valve is to turn off your water before you go to bed at night. Then you'll notice right away you have no pressure. wait untill morning before you use any water. Then open the cold tap if theres all of a sudden pressure even for a moment or two. This means your valve is Weeping or leaking, in which case needs to be replaced.

if you find theres still absolutly no pressure in the morning this means your main shut off is working properly.

The whole reason why this came to my attension is i walked in to an older home under renovation. The kitchen was torn appart the valves turned off and yet the home owner had a bowel under the waterlines for the kitchen sink. the home owner said the main shut off and the kitchen lines were turned off but yet the water was still weeping. obviously it was embarrasing to him when possible buyers come in to the home and he's trying to keep water from driping in to the sink cabinet. the main shut off valve for his home only cost's about 7$ and maybe 30 minutes to repair. at a plumbers rate thats at the very most 100$ for the first hour. may as well get the plumber to repair the sink valves at the same time with in the hour and parts for that may be another 14 or so $ 125$ tax incl for peice of mind.


If anyone has plumbing questions feel free to ask! i'll be happy to answer as best as i can.