My house was built in the 1980s and has two older-style multi-turn water shut-off valves, in front of the water meter in my basement, to shut water off to the whole house. Not sure if they usually put in two shut-off valves in a house, or if the first one was failing and they added the second.

They don't work that well, but if I use a pliers on them to tighten them a bit more than I can by hand, then I can get the water shut off. So I'd like to replace with a modern quarter-turn valve before the old valves get any worse.

Is there any need for me to remove the old valves, or as long as they are open all the way, isn't there little chance that they'll leak?

I was going to solder in the quarter turn valve -- there's space on the 3/4 inch pipe just after the meter. Then I'd use that as the main shut off valve for the house and wouldn't have to pay the city water dept to shut off the water on the outside valve if I was to replace the old valves rather than leave them in. Any disadvantage to doing this, or should I remove the old valves and put it there?



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It would make a more professional job to remove the old valves and add one new one, that's what I would do, however if you prefer to leave them it'll be ok too.

If a 1/4 turn ball valve is installed below ground level the moisture in the soil tends to destroy the steel lever handle. Valves with stainless steel handles are available, but the are hard to find and are in a different price bracket than the big box stock. A gate valve with a cast iron handle may be better in the long run.

Thanks for the advice. Just to clarify, these shut offs that I'd be replacing are indoors, in my basement. We have an inside water meter.



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The first one just shuts off the water meter so you do NOT have to do anything with it. IF you turn that one off, however, you CAN change the second one without calling the water company.

Yes, I considered just shutting off the first valve, but not sure that'll close completely.

Making sure the first valve will shut off completely is where you start. Definitely change the second valve out, no need for an extra problem when it eventually fails.

It should shut off enough so you can work on the second valve.

He says he is going to solder.