Plumbers struggle with valves not turning clockwise
15 posts in the last 60 days, all from r/Plumbing.
“Are you by chance turning counter clockwise? Maybe you’re tightening if you’re turning clockwise. I don’t mean to insult you or anything like that just some information. [re: A 10-minute shower head change can't be this difficult..]”
“Hi Everyone, I am new home owner, trying to understand the things. I am in need to shutoff the water supply for my dishwasher because the inlet valve is leaking. I turned this valve almost 180 degrees and can't move it anymore but it still seems like the water is going to…”
“Both valves on this used faucet were toast and the matching valves were Kohler... So I got a hot and cold but the used ones I pulled out were both clockwise to off, counter clockwise to on. The replacement have the cold side as counter clockwise to off and clockwise to on. So I…”
Several plumbers are frustrated when gas shutoff valves don't turn as expected, leading to confusion about valve direction and grip needed for operation. Some commenters offer sarcastic remarks regarding the user’s understanding of basic plumbing principles.
SOURCES (27)
“Are you by chance turning counter clockwise? Maybe you’re tightening if you’re turning clockwise. I don’t mean to insult you or anything like that just some information. [re: A 10-minute shower head change can't be this difficult..]”
“This type of valve may need you to turn it many 360s before shutting off. If you turned it 180 and it won't turn any more it may be one of the following: it was already mostly off; or you turned it the wrong way; or it has failed, in which case you have to turn off your main shutoff valve. [re: Turning off water for dishwasher]”
“Hi Everyone, I am new home owner, trying to understand the things. I am in need to shutoff the water supply for my dishwasher because the inlet valve is leaking. I turned this valve almost 180 degrees and can't move it anymore but it still seems like the water is going to dishwasher as its keep dripping. What am I missing? Plus what is this compond on the other valve? Any help will be appreciated submitted by /u/hybridsme [link] [comments]”
“Both valves on this used faucet were toast and the matching valves were Kohler... So I got a hot and cold but the used ones I pulled out were both clockwise to off, counter clockwise to on. The replacement have the cold side as counter clockwise to off and clockwise to on. So I guess the valves will operate in mirror image? This seems annoying. I'd rather just have regular right tight, left open. So I have to find two hot valves to get that. Does anyone ever want mirror image valves for a fa”
“I'm not a tech. If it was recently serviced they may have had to shut off valves to do the servicing, and might have forgotten to turn one on. I noticed that one of the blue valves is off. I don't know if that is the problem or not. You might want to call the company that serviced it and get them to come back on their dime. It's very easy to make that mistake of not turning on a valve. [re: Boiler advice needed!]”
“I am baffled. I know I should be turning the union nuts counter clockwise but I just can’t seem to loosen it; 2 worried I’m tightening. Can’t do laundry til I do this and I’m running out of maternity clothes LOL Can someone draw arrows for my dumb butt which ones to turn and in which direction? submitted by /u/rollinandpollin [link] [comments]”
“Hi all. My house has a converted gas fireplace and the line to it is currently turned off. There is a shutoff valve in the basement, pictured. I understand this type of shutoff valve is quite old and possibly prone to leaks. Other gas shutoffs in my home are newer ball valve styles. I would really like to use my fireplace but not sure if I should try touching this valve at all. Should I have it replaced? Or would it be better to leave alone? I do a bit of my own plumbing work (I just replaced a”
“I want to remove this valve to replace a pipe from the main line. Is it clockwise or counter clockwise nut? I don't want to break it further. submitted by /u/pate201 [link] [comments]”
“This valve only rotates clock wise about 180 degrees and doesn’t shut off the cold water. And I couldn’t move it past that and also it doesn’t rotate counter clockwise either. Any more pressure, I fear it will break apart. Is the valve broken? It looks like the valve is soldered. We have similar looking valves in bathrooms ( they work so far, but hard to turn) as well. Should we replace all? I am just trying to turn off the water to install RO. submitted by /u/AsparagusLive237 [link]”
“Just wanted to post an update to this: I forgot to several weeks ago. That little valve actually is a shut-off valve. It turns counterclockwise about six turns and shuts the water off.”
“Hi, does anyone know how to turn off the cold water valve. I’ve tried turning the left screw clockwise but nothing seems to be working so thought I might ask here. submitted by /u/Turbulent-Ad-445 [link] [comments]”
“Wow that is so much more work than putting on a valve with compression ring and bolt You will need to sweat it off with a torch, give it a little clean sanding and then replace with a valve with a compression ring and bolt. Watch a few YouTube videos”
“Is this on? It only turns from here and slightly to the left to end up perpendicular. It’s not hard to turn at all, but only in that range. The guys just installed the dryer and left it like this as well. Thank you ahead of time, I haven’t seen a valve like this. submitted by /u/Sensitive_Jake [link] [comments]”
“It should be open constantly unless you decide to risk the water flashing to steam.”
“the ball valve is most likely closed cause the auto feed is bypassing over the 15psi it’s factory set to. which is if the boiler hits over 30 psi your pressure relief valve is going to blow off. i always pipe my auto feeds vertical so less chance of sediment to block the internals.”
“The red and blue lines go to a water heater. None of the valves shut off water the the house. Blue line has a shutoff close to the water heater. Why does the loop back exist and not just a straight tee coming 9it of the wall? submitted by /u/Dense_Marzipan5025 [link] [comments]”
“just curious to see how these shut off valves are connected to the water supply line and if it's possible to turn them to the side so I can push my washer back farther. thanks submitted by /u/Jay23Farm [link] [comments]”
“Sorry if this is a dumb question im just not very knowledgeable in this stuff. The knobs on our old water heater are broken and thought maybe turning this off would cut gas. The broken knob controls if i want hot or very hot water. There is one knob that says Pilot, Off, On. Do i even need to turn this red valve? Or should i just put the other knob to “off” Again, sorry if this is a dumb question submitted by /u/beanbag300 [link] [comments]”
“I usually point the handle of the valve in the direction of flow, and if this is in fact the main shutoff, the water is probably flowing up. I am 70% confident in this. Cut the top and report back. If we don’t hear back, it was the 30% and you’re running around while your house is flooding.”
“How do I turn this valve on? It doesn't turn by hand submitted by /u/ooitburns [link] [comments]”
“Lol you think upside down changes clockwise or counterclockwise? You should hold a valve in your hands and do an experiment lol”