Aging supply valves are a common source of leaks and water damage. Here is what a professional supply valve replacement involves.
On a recent service call on Fortyniner Avenue in Kuna, 1Up Plumbing replaced a set of corroded copper supply valves under a bathroom sink. The homeowners had noticed a slow drip forming at the base of the valves — a sign that the packing inside the valve stems had failed.
Supply valves — the small shutoff valves under sinks and behind toilets — are often overlooked during home maintenance. Most are installed when the home is built and never touched again. Over 20 to 30 years, the internal packing and seals deteriorate, and the valves begin to weep or drip.
Beyond the drip itself, failing supply valves present a more serious risk: if you ever need to shut off water to a fixture quickly — during a faucet replacement or a supply line failure — a corroded valve may not close fully or may break when turned. This turns a routine repair into a water emergency.
Replacing supply valves is a straightforward job that requires shutting off the main water supply, cutting out the old valve, and soldering or pressing in a new quarter-turn ball valve. Quarter-turn ball valves are more reliable than the older multi-turn gate valves and are the current standard for residential supply shutoffs.
1Up Plumbing replaces supply valves throughout Kuna, Nampa, Boise, and the Treasure Valley. Call (208) 919-8496 to schedule service.