You may not realize this but shut off valves do have to occasionally be replaced. It’s important to know how often because if your valve ever goes out, you don’t want to be without water!
Generally speaking, the lifespan of most residential water shut off valves is about 10 to 15 years. So, if you’re purchasing a home that is 10 or 15 years old – we would recommend that you invest in replacing your shut off valves now to avoid any problems in the near future.
How Do You Know If a Shut Off Valve Is Bad?
There are basically 4 different ways that a water shut off valve can become defective.
- It gets stuck when you try to turn it. Sometimes a little WD-40 can fix the problem but not always.
- You notice that it’s leaking. If tightening the packing nuts doesn’t fix the problem then you probably have to replace the valve.
- It only closes partially. Again, a little WD-40 may fix this problem, or not.
- The pipe by the shut off valve bursts.
If any of these 4 issues occurs with any of your home’s shut off valves – we recommend that you go ahead and have them replaced.
How Much Does It Cost To Have A Shut Off Valve Replaced?
Costs to replace a water shut off valve can begin at about $150.00. We recommend you speak with your plumber about this project.
If you have any questions about your shut off valves or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.