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Water Main Shut-Off Upgrade
Water Main Shut-Off Upgrade Deep Dive
You are considering replacing your existing water main shut-off valve and want to learn more.
Rest easy, Richard Trethewey of Ask This Old House will explain the process.
Thank you to Ask This Old House for this excellent video – How to Replace a Main Shutoff Valve
60 year old water main gate valve
For a less expensive option than completely replacing the existing gate valve, your plumber can install a ball valve next to the old gate valve. The plumber would shut off the existing gate valve (crossing their fingers that the valve does not fail or leak) and add a ball valve on the downstream side. Then the plumber would carefully reopen the gate valve (more crossed fingers).
From that point forward, no one should ever touch the gate valve again and the quarter-turn ball valve is used exclusively. This strategy would eliminate the need to have your plumber twiddle their thumbs (costing at least $100/hour) while the water department comes to shut off your water at the street, however you risk the existing gate valve failing or developing a leak in the process.
Consider adding clear signage to make is easy for anyone shutting off the water in a panic to use the correct valve.
Smart Automatic Water Shut-Off Valves
Does the idea of hundreds of gallons of water spewing over all your home and belongings terrify you? Is your home unoccupied for part of the year? If so, consider installing a “smart” automatic water main shut-off valve to automatically shut-off your water in case of a leak or burst pipe. You will have peace of mind and your home insurance company may lower your home insurance rates after this device is installed.
Once again Richard Trethewey, on Ask This Old House, has great insight to share.
Thank you to Ask This Old House for this excellent video – Testing Smart Automatic Water Shutoff Valves
If you hire a plumber to install a “smart” automatic shut-off valve, show your plumber the piping plan diagram below. This layout will be slightly more expensive but it will allow the “smart” valve to be easily isolated and bypassed so your home will still have water if the smart valve needs to be serviced or replaced in the future.
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