Plumbing service
Replacing the main water valve
Of all the valves in a house, the one beside the meter carries the most weight, and in older homes it has often sat untouched for a generation. A stiff old wheel valve that refuses to seat, or that drips at the stem, needs replacing before an emergency.
- Location: Usually front basement wall where the service enters
- Old type: Gate valve with a round handle
- New type: Full-port quarter-turn ball valve
- Coordinated with: City curb stop shut-off when needed
- Licensed, insured trade work (details confirmed when you call)
- Diagnosis before anything is cut
- Emergency calls taken
- Etobicoke and the west end
At a glance
- Location
- Usually front basement wall where the service enters
- Old type
- Gate valve with a round handle
- New type
- Full-port quarter-turn ball valve
- Coordinated with
- City curb stop shut-off when needed
Why old valves fail
Gate valves have a wedge that slides down across the flow. Over years of being left open, mineral scale locks the wedge and the stem. When someone finally tries to close it, the handle turns, but the wedge stays put, or the stem snaps.
- A leak from the stem packing is a sign the valve is old and probably not reliable.
Replacement
To replace the main valve, the water supply must be shut off at the curb stop on city property. Toronto Water operates those, and arranging the shut-off is part of planning the job. Then we cut out the old valve and install a full-port ball valve.
- Where the service is lead or galvanized, replacing the valve alone may be a short-term fix; we tell you what we see.
Know your valve
Once installed, the quarter-turn handle shows open or closed at a glance. Show everyone at home where to find it. Keep the area clear of storage.
- A tag on the valve saying what it controls helps anyone who needs to find it in a hurry.
Signs to watch for
- Main valve handle will not turn
- Drip from the valve stem
- Valve hidden behind finished walls
- Water still flows with valve closed
- Planning work that needs the water off
How the job runs
Arrange curb shut-off
City supply turned off at the curb stop.
Remove old valve
Old gate valve cut out.
Install ball valve
New full-port valve fitted.
Restore and test
Supply on, valve tested both ways.