plumbing
Trying to replace my kitchen faucet and I went to turn off the water – cold water valve works fine – hot water just turns and turns and doesn't stop water flow.
I'm in a condo and have access to our water heater. Is there a quick way to fix/shut off hot water here so I can replace my faucet?
Or do I need to shut water off to the whole building :/
Thanks!
I've dealt with these before. The flex pipe is silver soldered into the valve body, probably a product design of the day to dispense with having a problematic compression fitting that would eventually leak.
If you loosen the nut from the pipe nipple, the valve body and flex supply line pipe will be rotatable to position it for a direct lineup to the faucet inlet.
Even if the other end of the metal flex supply line is compatible with the faucet (sounds like it isn't), brass and copper flex work harden from bending into position and can crack if disturbed for later repairs, so I don't recommend reusing it. The only way to fix this is to replace the shutoff valve with a 1/2" to 3/8" right angle shutoff. The newer ones available are nice quarter turn units. Remove the compression fitting nut and ferrule and the 3/8" supply line should thread right on. They use a neoprene flat washer now that gets rid of the leak problem the original silver-soldered supply line was meant to prevent.
It's not a bad idea to turn off the gas while you work on your water system as the water level inside the tank may become unacceptably low, or pressures to high if you shut all the valves off; triggering the T&P relief valve.
You must turn off the gas or power if you have to drain the entire system and the tank.
Best Answer
If you have access to your water heater, it will typically have a shut off valve on its entrance to allow being serviced. If you can shut that off, that will kill the pressure on the hot water line, and you should be okay. Open the hot faucet to confirm.
Given that, I would consider taking that shutoff apart and fixing it if you can.
Probably a worn out or deteriorated rubber washer. Worse case if that is just attached to the plumbing by the nut behind it, you can replace the whole valve.
Take it with you to a store.