How do you replace a cold water pipe isolation valve?

by **SpogMonkey** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 11:59 am

The cold water isolation valve under the kitchen sink is stopping the supply to the tap, but I have no idea how to replace it!

I've attached a photo, showing the valve. Any tips greatly appreciated.

by **havingago** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 12:22 am

It's push fit, find the main stop cock/tap into the house close it - you may need to find the one outside the house and turn off your water supply from there if you can't find it, but look hard sometimes they are well hidden or, so seized up WD40 might help.

Run the kitchen tap, make sure your water supply is well and truly off. The kitchen tap should be fed direct from the mains pressure not the cold water tank in the loft, that's if you have one.

Pull the fitting off, they can be wiggled free - a dribble of water will come down, have a towel handy. Take it down to your local screw fix or plumbing store (City plumbing etc...) and ask for a replacement should cost you under a fiver.

Push the new one on, observe if there are any arrows pointing in the direction that the flow of the water must go, ask a friend to turn the mains on (use a mobile if they can't hear you), keep an eye on the joint to make sure it doesn't leak, open the isolation valve if not already and fill the kettle for a cuppa tea! :)

by **havingago** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 12:23 am

Oh, check the obvious too before any of that in the last post...did someone simply close the existing isolation valve? If so, turn it open, then fill the kettle and have a cuppa tea! :)

by **htg engineer** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 8:59 am

Turn off the mains cold water supply, and open all cold water taps. On the white isolation valve, where it meets the grey pipe - push the white collars back towards the valve the isolation and pull the grey pipe out and replace - with whatever valve you've chosen.

by **SpogMonkey** » Sat Oct 27, 2012 9:16 am

Thanks for the clear instructions, much appreciated.