Articles By Syndicated Columnist
Dan Thomas
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Improvement Inside And Out
Shut
Off Valves
Every fixture in your home should have an individual supply shut off valves
so that you do not have
to close the main shut off to repair them. If you do
not have shut off valves installed on your fixtures, you should think about
installing a shut off valve on every fixture. This could prevent flooding if a
pipe bursts and will minimize damage.
Adding shut off valves to existing fixtures is an easy task that the
majority of homeowners can do on their own. In almost all cases, you will not
need to change the supply tubes that goes from the valves to your faucet. If
the supply tubes are kinked or corroded, you will have to replace them. You
should purchase braided stainless-steel supply tubes. Each supply tubes cost
about five dollars. Ordinary shut off valves cost about seven dollars each.
If you do not have shut off valves on your fixtures you should tag the main
shut off valve so that anyone can easily find it and know how to turn it off.
Make sure everyone in the family knows the location of the main shutoff valve
in your house, as well as how to use it.
Tip:
Make sure to check with your area plumbing code official before you change
or add any pipe in your home. Find out what is prohibited and what is allowed,
and whether or not a homeowner is allowed to do his or her own work.
