Attempting to shut off the water to the toilet, however, after turning the knob clockwise all the way, the water still runs. The water stops when I place a plastic bottle under the float ball, however, to replace the components I know I need to shut the water off at the toilet shut-off valve. Should my next step be to shut off the main water shut-off valve into the home?
Plumbing – Toilet Shut-Off Valve Not Working
plumbing
Related Solutions
Why not just repack the valve stem? It's cheaper, easier, and faster.
PS: I am sure the sharkbite valve would be fine.
This answer may be inaccurate because I assume you have the most common type of shutoff valve, which is a seat and washer type (v. gate valve or ball valve) and an oval handle (called, I think, a wrench pad).
First, shut off the main valve, so if you do break a pipe you won't flood.
Try turning the handle with a wrench while maintaining a counter-rotating force on the valve body with another wrench. This usually works for me, although the valve remains stiff and sometimes I need two wrenches to close it again.
If that doesn't work, try removing the compression nut. Here also you want two wrenches, a proper size crescent wrench for the nut and a pipe wrench for the valve body. As the nut starts to move, turn the handle with it and remove the handle, stem, and nut together. Once you have them out you can separate them without stressing your pipes. You will probably find that the packing has stuck to the stem.
Of course if you do break the valve or any pipes then you will have to replace them but at least you tried the easy methods first.
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Best Answer
Make sure the valve stem is turning and not just the handle. Spraying a little WD-40 in there sure can't hurt. If the valve still won't completely shut off, you'll have to find your whole house valve which is usually on an outside wall in the vicinity of your water meter. These gate valves are notorious for failing too so don't be surprised if they don't work too. If that's the case, there is usually another valve on the line side of your water meter that you should be able to operate. If not, call your water company and they will operate it for you. So if you get your water shut off, this is a great time to replace any of these valves that failed to do their job. good luck.