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 the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- It is not one crowd: 13 people on Reddit and 1 on Stack Exchange ran into the same thing.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1shutting off the main water supply to the houseDid this help you?
- 2capping the line for future buyersDid this help you?
- 3replacing or installing new ball valvesDid this help you?
- 4Using a stool to reach the valve manuallyDid this help you?
- 5Repiping the system to an accessible areaDid this help you?
- 6Replacing the wheel valve with a ball valve or a motorized/smart valve controllerDid this help you?
- 7Adding a ball valve further upstreamDid this help you?
- 8Locating and using the main water shut-off valve for the unit.Did this help you?
- 9Replacing the broken shut-off valves or bibb washers.Did this help you?
- 10Turning different handles to identify which controls hot versus cold waterDid this help you?
- 11Shutting off the main water supply to the house if individual valves failDid this help you?
- 12Taking the vehicle to a dealership, discount brake shop, or independent mechanic instead of doing it aloneDid this help you?
- 13Buying a meter key to shut off water at the street instead of touching the old valveDid this help you?
- 14Leaving the old valve alone and letting the sleeping dog lie if a newer secondary shut-off was installedDid this help you?
- 15trying to force the valve or planning to replace itDid this help you?
- 16shutting off the main water valve to swap out the stuck valveDid this help you?
- 17Using a hose bibb keyDid this help you?
- 18Using a utility keyDid this help you?
- 19Using a fireplace keyDid this help you?
- 20Using a sillcock keyDid this help you?
- 21Contacting apartment maintenance or property managementDid this help you?
- 22Checking for safety lockouts indicated by a red light.Did this help you?
- 23Wire-brushing the rust off the valve body and wiping it with light machine oilDid this help you?
- 24Replacing the rusted nut with a galvanized or stainless steel replacementDid this help you?
- 25Operating the valve with a wrench if the handle completely corrodes awayDid this help you?
- 26Sealing exposed drywall above the valve so gypsum dust doesn't promote further rustDid this help you?
- 27Spraying the stuck valves with WD40 or Liquid Wrench.Did this help you?
- 28Using a pair of pliers to force the valve.Did this help you?
- 29Calling maintenance to schedule a building-wide water shut down.Did this help you?
- 30Hiring a licensed plumber to replace the main valve before addressing the fixture.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“What would be causing the nut portion of the shutoff valve to rust? Can it be simply cleaned off or should I be concerned?”source ↗
“Just bought an old house and this is on my main water line coming into my house but doesn't look like a typical shut off valve that I have seen before.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“I can’t seem to get the in-wall shut-off valves for the main water supply to shut off.”source ↗
“I’ve tried spraying them with WD40 and Liquid Wrench (although only once with each) and neither the hot nor cold will budge.”source ↗
“Would it be a disaster if I tried to clean/replace the faucet cartridge without shutting the water off?”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 ↗
“Looks old as shit, so unless you want to flood the house, don't even look at it”source ↗
“Which one shut off the cold water? I think it’s the knob on the right but I can’t get it to turn for the life of me”source ↗
“Tbh I didn’t put a ton of elbow grease into it because I wasn’t sure if it was the right one. Is swapping it out a job I should leave to a plumber?”source ↗
“Hi guys! I'm in apartment and I want to shut off this valve to install a water cooler, but what tool will I need that will fit and shut this off? Thanks in advanced”source ↗
“Also the rear driver side brake bleed screw wouldn’t move when I tested it cold so I’m nervous about it snapping lol”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 ran out of oil heating and I’ve went to bleed the boiler today after getting oil and I can’t get the Alan key to turn?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4How do you turn off a stuck gas or water valve?
- 18Kitchen faucet won't turn off after water outage
- 4How to turn off main water valve at the street safely
- 27How to get out a stuck faucet cartridge without breaking it?
- 3Which automatic water shutoff valve should I buy to prevent leaks?
- 5How do you switch a shower to the overhead head?