[merrymini]

Turning water off to the house when away is a very good idea. No reason to have it turned off at the street. I assume you need a service call to have that done. Everything in these houses is contractor grade, no surprise. That is why when you have a house built they have upgrades, not available when you buy a house that is already completed.

[tomtauto]

Our home was built in 2005 and an expansion valve was used for the water heater instead of an expansion tank. This valve is located just above the water shut-off in the garage wall. Our expansion valve leaked last year and had to be replaced with a better valve. The plumber indicated that for this set-up simply shutting off the valve in the garage does not keep this valve from ever leaking again while we are away. He suggested always shutting off the valve at the outside meter was the only sure way to avoid a potential leak while we are gone for an extended period of time.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

We had a plumber change out the plastic piece and put in a heavy duty metal lever which turns off our water supply to the whole house.

One of least desirable things in water source in a metal valve, plumbers are great at plumbing not experts in water contamination.

Nova uses a Schedule 80 heavy duty plastic ball valve as already mentioned very easy to turn.

Forcing the standard cheap ones sometimes breaks the wings off then you're trouble.

[Professor]

We did the same. Best investment we have made as we come and go a lot.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Is a customer allowed to mess with the shut off at the meter. I don’t know but would guess no.

Yes, iF got tool to shut it off, (down deep in little hole) why it has shut off valve before meter.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/JONES-ST...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Jensor17

Thanks for the suggestion to call plumber. I’d like to know: Why did our builders give us cheap, breakable shutoffs ?

Florida and freeze zone of 2”. Not two feet like in north.

[Pinball wizard]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

I installed a water softener in the garage next to the main water shut off. I have a shutoff valve going into the WS and after. Both are simple to get to and turn.

This is also typically true if you just have a whole house water filter installed in your garage.

[TVCZ1]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

We had a plumber change out the plastic piece and put in a heavy duty metal lever which turns off our water supply to the whole house.

Hi Madelaine, I am looking into having my plastic whole house water valve replaced, but my neighbor warned me about good/bad plumbers and paying too much. Can you tell me who you used to switch out the valve and what I should expect to pay?

Thank you in advance

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We can shut the water off at the house, and we can shut the water off at the street that brings water to the property. Not sure we were supposed to get the wrench-thing for the one at the street-side, but we have it nonetheless. Good thing too, our next door neighbor had her hot water heater explode, and water was gushing everywhere both onto our shared lawn and into her house. We were able to block the water from even getting to her house, until she got home and could get the plumber to replace it.

[stevecmo]

Originally Posted by TVCZ1

Hi Madelaine, I am looking into having my plastic whole house water valve replaced, but my neighbor warned me about good/bad plumbers and paying too much. Can you tell me who you used to switch out the valve and what I should expect to pay?

Thank you in advance

Just had mine replaced by Torri Plumbing - $127.

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by TVCZ1

Hi Madelaine, I am looking into having my plastic whole house water valve replaced, but my neighbor warned me about good/bad plumbers and paying too much. Can you tell me who you used to switch out the valve and what I should expect to pay?

Thank you in advance

We use Kileys for all our plumbing. If we need a job done we get a well established company and pay what they want. Kiley's and probably all other well established companies stand behind their work.

We actually did once have a handiman do a plumbing job for us, paid him and then paid Kiley's to do it properly.

[TVCZ1]

Thank You

[retiredguy123]

I can understand replacing the plastic valve with a metal one if you are going to be using the valve a lot. But, if you only need the valve in emergencies, I would stay with the plastic valve. Your entire water system is plastic pipe and you already have about 12-15 plastic push-pull valves at your sinks, toilets, etc. When the plumber installs a metal valve, he/she needs to make two connections between plastic and metal pipe which can cause a leak even if the metal valve operates properly. But, the important thing is to test the valve occasionally to make sure that it is accessible and not stuck and can be turned off when needed. I have been in some houses where there is so much junk piled in front of the valve, that you can't get to it. And, the homeowner doesn't even know where the valve is anyway. Also, the builder installs an access panel in the wall in front of the valve that you cannot open without a screwdriver. When your bathtub is overflowing, you need to be able to shut off the water immediately.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

I installed a water softener in the garage next to the main water shut off. I have a shutoff valve going into the WS and after. Both are simple to get to and turn.

That's exactly how our Nova filter was installed right at (after) the main valve with valves on both the in and the out side of the filter. No bending and made it much easier for me to shut off main supply to replace the other plastic valves in the house (still have 2 to go). The original valve is a REAL PITA to turn.

[jimbo2012]

The reason plastic valves are used is because brass valves leach metal into water.
They should not be used in any drinking water piping.
As stated above Nova uses a heavy gauge 80 valve that will not fail.



they are $15