Shower valve is dripping inside the wall. In the photo below, the two red circles show what I assume are the brass supply shut off valves.

Unfortunately, they don't want to turn. Before I strip the brass with my screwdriver, I'm hoping somebody can tell me if these are indeed the supply shutoff valves? Do I turn them counter-clockwise to shut them? SHould I try to find a long-shank handle to turn them instead of using a screwdriver? Any other advice?

Thanks!

Photo here: [static1.squarespace.com]

The either turn 90 degrees, or rotate CLOCKWISE, to turn them off.

those are multi-turn valves so they close clockwise.
just grab the ends of the stem with a vice grips and turn them.

hj, I'm guessing that if they were 1/4 turn stops that the openings would line up with the slot in the stem. in that case the cold side would be 7/8 shut. nes pas?

Ball valves are not "linear", in that they may be almost fully open until the point where they are completely closed, which is why they are a poor choice for a throttling valve, but it is probable that these are compression style.



Edited 2 times.

Thank you Packy!