Water Valve Replacement Vancouver

Water shutoff valves are used for regulating and controlling the direction in which water flows through a pipe. They allow your home to connect supply lines to plumbing fixtures, like sinks and toilets. They also help narrow down and repair leaks near fixtures. Shut-off valves, specifically are used to shut off water access in the event of flooding or leaks. But what does the process look like to get a water valve replacement in Vancouver? Read on to learn more about our step-by-step process:

• Identify Existing Valve: Upon arriving on site, one of our plumbing experts will determine how the water shut-off valve is connected to the corresponding pipe. There are a few different valve types we will encounter. The pipe will be connected by either a solder, compression or threaded fitting. We'll know it's a solder fitting if there is silver solder around the joint. The solder fitting can be replaced with either a solder or compression-type valve. A threaded fitting will show visible threads connecting the valve to the pipe. The pipe will also be copper and will need to be replaced with a threaded valve. A compression fitting is marked by a compression nut, connecting it to the valve, and will need to be replaced by a compression valve.
• Remove Old Valve: We will then shut off the water line. The faucet will be opened to drain the line, and a bucket will be placed under the old valve. The removal of the old valve will vary, depending on its type. For example, for a threaded valve, we will hold the pipe steady with a pipe wrench and twist the valve off.

• Prep Water Line Pipe: Next, one of our plumbing technicians will prepare the pipe for installation of the new valve. The prep process will vary slightly based on which type of valve fitting you're going for, but no matter which type of fitting you have, we will first prep the water pipe by ensuring that the pipe is clean and smooth, cleaning the inside of the valve with a sanding cloth as well. For a compression-type valve, we will slide the compression nut snuggly over the pipe, sliding it as far back on the pipe as possible. Then, a compression ring will slide over the pipe's end. For a thread-type valve, we'll remove any thread seal tape from threads and ensure they're cleaned. The threads will then be wrapped with thread seal tape.
• Install New Valve: Again, the process of installing the valve will depend on the type of fitting. For a compression-type water valve, for example, the valve will need to be threaded into the compression, ensuring it slides seamlessly over the compression ring. We will then tighten the nut onto the valve using an adjustable wrench.
• Attach Supply Line: Lastly, we'll reattach the supply lines to the valve by attaching them to the valve using the same steps used to attach the valve.
• Ensure Hose Isn't Leaking: To ensure there is no leaking, we will open the new valves and run water through the faucet. This will clean the lines out, and we'll be able to determine if any leaking persists.