This house didn't have a shutoff valve after the curb stop...or at least it didn't seem to.



In order to find out how the hose bib branched off the main line before entering the house, I excavated around the pipes and found two shutoff valves.



So there are actually two shutoff valves buried underground. The left side valve controls the cold water to downstairs and all hot water, and the right side valve controls the cold water to the upstair bathroom only.

Problem #1: The left side valve handle has basically disintegrated. I was able to remove the hex nut holding whatever is left of the handle, but was unable to get it to loosen up and off. I was planning on replacing just the handle.





If I can't get that piece of handle off, would I be able to remove the packing nut and get a replacement for the whole piece attached to the handle? or it is so old that most likely I won't be able to get an exact replacement?

Problem #2: The right side valve handle turns, it tightens as I turn clockwise and loosens as I turn counterclockwise as expected but it does not close the valve. How would I repair it?

If they cannot be repaired, not a big deal, I will be repiping the whole thing in about a month anyways since those polybutylene pipes under the building has to go soon. I am just dragging my feet entering the crawl space.

sum, it doesn't look like there is much left worth saving.
bite the bullet and repipe.

Can you think of any reason to need two separate shutoff valves?

Should I keep the same pattern of two valves or go with one? I need to get some sharkbite polybutylene adapter couplings to help me do the repipe in stages.

valves are ALWAYS a good idea.
they do make stainless handles for ball valves.
[www.jomarvalve.com]