I get the logic behind shutting off the main, but honestly, I don’t always do it unless I’m messing with something major. Sometimes, especially in older houses, turning that main valve off and on can actually cause more trouble—those old shutoffs can seize up or start leaking themselves. Had a job last year where the main wouldn’t budge, and when it finally did, it started dripping at the stem. Ended up being a bigger headache than the original fix.
If you’ve got decent local shutoffs under the sink and you’re just swapping out a faucet or something, I’d say you’re usually fine just using those. Of course, if they look sketchy or haven’t been touched in years, then yeah, maybe play it safe. But sometimes, messing with the main is just asking for a new problem. Just my two cents...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m a little paranoid about water leaks. Even if the local shutoffs look okay, I still turn off the main for anything more than swapping a hose. Maybe it’s overkill, but after seeing a neighbor’s kitchen flood because an old valve failed mid-job, I’d rather deal with a sticky main than risk a mess. Guess it depends on how much you trust your shutoffs...
Turning off the main is my go-to move too, even if it means wrestling with that ancient valve in the basement. I once tried to trust a local shutoff and ended up with a surprise indoor slip-n-slide. Sometimes “overkill” just means “peace of mind,” right?
Turning off the main is usually my first step too, especially in older buildings where you never really know if those local shutoffs will hold. Had a tenant once who swore the bathroom valve would be fine—next thing I know, water’s coming through the ceiling into the kitchen. Ever try explaining to someone why their light fixture is dripping? Not fun.
I get that it feels like overkill, but honestly, I’d rather deal with a cranky old main valve than risk water damage. That being said, I’ve had a couple of cases where the main was so rusted up it barely budged. Ever had to call in someone just to get the main working before you could even start on the sink? Makes you wonder if there’s ever a truly “simple” plumbing job in these older places...
Makes you wonder if there’s ever a truly “simple” plumbing job in these older places...
- I hear you on that. “Simple” and “old plumbing” don’t really go together.
- Main valves are always a gamble. I’ve had to use a cheater bar just to get one to turn, and even then, you’re praying it doesn’t snap off.
- Local shutoffs? Half the time they’re just decorative at this point.
- Had a job where I had to call the water company because the main was fused solid. Felt like I spent more time getting water off than actually fixing anything.
- Honestly, if you can’t trust the shutoffs, turning off the main is worth the hassle. But yeah, sometimes even that’s an adventure...
- Water through light fixtures is a nightmare—been there. Never thought I’d see someone’s chandelier turn into a showerhead.
