Why Are Angle Stop Valves So Important?

Angle stop valves may be a new term that you may not have heard of. However, they are an essential piece of equipment in your home which can help you save thousands in water damage repair costs.

Although the cost of replacing or installing angle valves is minimal, many people don’t realize how important angle stops are. They also fail to recognize that an angle stop is prone to expire over time. This can lead to burst pipes and water pools in one’s home. If you don’t know what an angle block is, we will give you a brief explanation of its function, where it can be found, and why you should consider how often your angle stop needs to be replaced.

What is an angle stop valve?

An angle stop is also known as a shut off valve. It allows you to replace a faucet or toilet without having to shut off the water supply to the whole house. With the twist of a knob the angle stop effectively stops water flow from the water line. To shut off a particular water source, turn the knob of the angle stop 1/4 turn to full turn.

There are also other types of shut-off valves, such as straight stops. The difference between an angle stop and a straight stop is that straight stop valves can be used for lines that run up from the floor. Angle stop valves, on the other hand, are used when the water line runs from the wall. The best option for you will depend on your plumbing design and your current plumbing needs.

An angle stop is usually made from metal or plastic. They are small in size and can be as small as 1/4 inch, 3/8 inches or a half inched. An angle stop is typically located under appliances in your house. The type and size of an angle stop valves will vary depending on the type of plumbing you are trying to accomplish. While most homes must have main emergency shutoff valve installed, there are some cases an angle valve does not exist in the home.

What are the different types of angle valves?

There are many angles of stop valves. Here are the three most common ones you will find in homes.

1. The first is a valve called a gate valve. These valves are less reliable than ball valves and are often found in older homes. If possible, you will need to replace your gate valve.
2. For an angle stop valve, a ball valve is the best choice. A lever controls the flow of water, and allows for an easier shutoff. It takes only 1/4 turn to turn it on or off which makes it easy to use.
3. This last one is a globe-type valve. These valves are more reliable and easier to maintain than gate valves.

Angle stop valves are available in a variety of materials, including metals and plastic. These are just a few options, with pros and cons:

• Zinc alloy – ages more quickly, providing a shorter life.
• PVC is more durable than metal but looks less nice.
• Copper – The best choice, it offers a great combination reliability and long life.

Where in your home do you find angle stop valves?

These are five possible locations for angle valves in your house:

• Under your toilet (cold water angle valve)
• Your washbasin can have hot and cold water angle valves
• Your under-sink sump pumps have hot and cold water angle valves
• Two cold water valves to your water heater
• If your home has a water purifier, a cold water angle valve will be installed

Why are angle stop valves so important?

An angle stop valve, as mentioned above, allows you to turn off water supply to one appliance and not the whole building. An angle stop valve is useful for preventing water damage from occurring while professional plumbers are waiting to repair the leak. An angle stop valve can prevent you from spending thousands in water damage or having the water in your entire house home shut off for hours to fix a simple leaky faucet.

Angle stops can also be very useful in home renovations. For example, if you need to replace a single water using appliance in the home, an angle stop will allow you to make the change without turning off the water to the entire home or entire building.

What happens if your angle stop valves are not changed?

An angle stop valve can prevent major problems in a home such as water damage and excessive water use. If you do not regularly check your angle stop or make repairs to ensure that it is in good working order, then problems can occur.

Angle stops can last for a long time but if they are not regularly checked, there is a risk that the stop will break or leak, which could lead to major water damage. The average cost to restore water damage is between $2,000 and $5,000.

On average, homeowners spend around $3,000 to extract water from a flooded bathroom. This includes drying, drywall, and ceiling repairs.

It’s risky to leave damaged angle stops that might or may not prevent a burst pipe from happening for such an easy repair.

How often should your angle stop valve be changed?

If the angle stop is not being used, it should be replaced every 8-10 years. The cost to replace an angle stop in your home is very affordable. Many plumbing companies offer discounts for replacing all angles stop valves at once.

Even if you don’t use your angle stop, it is important to “exercise” your angle stops at least once per month. This will prevent the angle stop from freezing and ensure they last their entire life span.

You can turn the knob on and off several times. If the knob doesn’t move, don’t force it to turn. This could cause the valve’s to fail. If you need assistance, call a professional.

Replacing an angle stop valve

There are a few steps that can be used to replace all types of angle stop water valves:

1. Turn off water supply to the house.
2. Release the pressure from the pipes by opening the hose bib.
3. Put a bucket underneath the angle stop.
4. If the angle stop is connected to a detachable supply line, grab the existing angle stop using a wrench. Then, place a second wrench onto the 3/8 inch compression nut that holds the faucet or toilet’s supply tube.
5. Keep the angle still, and then turn the 3/8 inch compression nut counterclockwise to release the nut.
6. Remove the supply tube. If the supply tube and angle stop are one unit, disconnect the supply line from the toilet or faucet.
7. Using the right tool, remove the existing angle stop.
8. Remove all debris from the surface of the 1/2-inch water pipe.
9. Use the correct installation method to install the new angle stop.
10. Attach the supply tube for the toilet or faucet to the angle stop’s discharge port.
11. One wrench should be placed on the body of the angle stop, and the second on the 3/8 inch compression nut.
12. The 3/8-inch nut should be turned clockwise, while the stop must remain still.
13. Turn the water supply to the home back on and check for leaks.

Conclusion

Angle stops are an inexpensive piece of equipment that can help you save thousands in water maintenance and convenience costs. Instead of having to stop your life to fix a leaky faucet, angle stops will prevent you from dealing with water overflow until a professional plumber arrives.

Angle stops are resilient but it is important to inspect them periodically, especially if you have not used them for a long period of time. You can prevent water damage to your home for many years by being proactive.

We want to help you understand your plumbing issues and make the right decisions for your home. Please don’t hesitate in contacting us if you have any questions or would like a quote!