Are these shutoff valves?
 

(see photo)
I've never seen plumbing fittings like this before (bathroom and kitchen sinks). Are they shutoff valves? If so, how do they work? Or better yet, what is the name of this fitting (so I can Google it)?

A more general question: is there such a thing as a homeowner 'user manual' that would answer questions like this?

YES Push in and pull out to turn off and on.

The opposite. Pull out to turn off and push in to turn on.

Use two hands. They are breakable.

When I had Mike Scott Plumbing out for something else, I had those cheap fittings replaced with traditional metal shut-off valves.

Additionally there should be a whole house water shut off valve in the garage.

That is what we did also with all the on/off valves in the house, including the water line for the fridge.

But they are easy to replace with shark bit. IMO vinyl hose the weakest link after 20 or so years.

Probably push on shut-off valves. Like they did mine. Which way why I had licensed plumber do mine to get rid of them. But just installed another brand. After that I done rest myself.

valves
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Old 01-30-2021, 11:26 AM
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Default Accor/flowtite push pull valves
I have these in my house. Beings they are approaching 20 years old I don’t feel comfortable due to vinyl hose breakdown. Had plumber do kitchen sink faucet so I got rid of them under kitchen sink.

Watched video on pressure/freeze test of shark bite push-on fittings. The pipe failed every time before the push-on valves, plus they didn’t even leak. Plus the shark bite has steel braided hose instead of vinyl.

So, I am replacing my old vinyl Accor push/pulls with shark bite. I like them cause you can easily remove them without twisting and twisting using the dollar removal tool. I also brought the depth gauge, really didn’t need that just make 1 inch mark on tube for 1/2 inch CPVC so you know it’s pushed on all the way.

This was the the easiest plumbing installation I even done. No drip, no leaks, no errors.

I wouldn’t use them inside wall or under ground or where you can’t see or have access to fitting, but that’s me. Yes, I’m old school plumbing mentality, but when I watched the pressure test every joint, fitting, and line (including copper) failed before the shark bite fitting even leaked let along blew off. I would post pictures but for some reason I can’t post or delete pictures on this site.

When I looked closely under the sink that I paid over 250 bucks for plumber guess what I seen push on valves!
Last edited by Topspinmo; 01-30-2021 at 11:47 AM.

This should explain it or search several posts about them.

A quality builder will always supply a "User Manual" with construction. They're especially needed with Commercial construction, but residential buyers need them also.

That said, you're not going to get that type of quality from a builder in TV ... you're getting cookie-cutter, mass production construction.

Thank you!
I found this on YouTube
plastic push pull water valves - Bing video

We had a plumber out recently to reinstall sink pipes after replacing countertops.

He pushed us to replace the plastic fittings ad house is 14 years old. Wanted $ 100 each for about 10. Went on and on about how flimsy they are and an accident waiting to happen.

Should we replace them?

$1,000 would be about $150 for parts, $150 for profit on the parts, and $700 for labor. Even at $100/hour it doesn't seem like the job would take seven hours.

Probably not a bad idea to replace them (I have not but I'm thinking about it) but definitely worth getting additional quotes.