Old water shut off valve won't turn off
Internal mineral buildup and aging components cause old valves to fail completely, meaning turning the handle has no effect on the water flow. This forces homeowners to shut off the main water supply instead of being able to isolate specific fixtures like a washer or dryer.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1shutting off the main water supply to the house
- 2capping the line for future buyers
- 3replacing or installing new ball valves
- 4Using a stool to reach the valve manually
- 5Repiping the system to an accessible area
- 6Replacing the wheel valve with a ball valve or a motorized/smart valve controller
- 7Adding a ball valve further upstream
- 8Locating and using the main water shut-off valve for the unit.
- 9Replacing the broken shut-off valves or bibb washers.
- 10Turning different handles to identify which controls hot versus cold water
- 11Shutting off the main water supply to the house if individual valves fail
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’ve tried, but can only seem to get hot water shut off with cold still running full force.”source ↗
“The valves start both perpendicular facing to the right but top only turns towards me to right and bottom only turns to left facing back of cabinet hence here I only get cold water.”source ↗
“Trying to do some work behind my washer/dryer in an old build house(1960) trying to disconnect the hoses here but can't get the water to shutoff, no matter which way I turn the valves the water won't shut off.”source ↗
“Those valves are from the 60s too by the look of that wall, they're toast internally. Shutting off the main is your only move here unless you want a surprise shower.”source ↗
“I bought a house with an inaccessible water valve that controls water to my backyard hose.”source ↗
“It's located above a steep set of concrete stairs.”source ↗
“I've found smart valve controllers for ball valves (seen in photo 3) but nothing compatible with a wheel valve.”source ↗
“I have turned all four of these valves all the way in each direction but the water still runs with no difference.”source ↗
“If the stops don't turn off it's probably because the bibb washers fell off or broke.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2How do you turn off a stuck gas or water valve?
- 5Kitchen faucet won't turn off after water outage
- 2Why is my faucet handle so hard to turn?
- 4Why are white sand crystals clogging my faucets every couple of days?
- 2Why won't my new shower and water pump turn off?
- 5How do I find my main water shutoff valve in an emergency?