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[Nikana]

Plumbing is my weakness in home repair but I'm finding it's even really hard to find the info I want because I have no idea what I'm looking for.

The TLDR. I need some new pipe under the kitchen sink. The shut-off valves both were leaking to my discovering.

Long version. Hot water pressure died after turning the shut off valve to replace the cartridge. The shut off valve seized up. Upon further inspection the cold water was leaking as well. I tried to turn off the cold water and was met with a lot of water.

I was able to get the hot water one replaced and it used compression but it seems the cold water was welded? In attempt to take the valve off I bent the pipe a bit and called it.

I am assuming I can cut the pipe, I think it's copper, at the line where the shut off valve is. But obviously once it's cut I will need to replace the pipe that was cut.

I am pretty handy but idk where to start.

(Pics incoming)

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

You will need a pipe cutter if you plan to remove the copper fitting above and below the leak.

Copper - Pipe & Tube Cutters - Plumbing Tools - The Home Depot

Get free shipping on qualified Copper Pipe & Tube Cutters products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Plumbing Department.

www.homedepot.com

If you want the easiest DIY, get a copper-to-PEX fitting and replace with PEX piping and parts. It all puts together like legos, even copper piping (you just have to be able to solder for copper).

 

[Nikana]

PEX pipe. I knew I had heard of it but I kept googling Flex pipe and not getting what I needed. Thanks.

So besides the copper cutter, what type of fittings do I need?

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

There are copper-to-PEX fittings, but you will have to measure and buy the correct size.

Once the copper is hooked into the PEX, you run the PEX to the new shut-off valve. Building the PEX side of things will be easy. The copper-to-PEX fitting should be easy too. Ask one of the diabetics in the colorful smock at your local hardware store and they will tell you which one to use, as long as you measure the diameter of the copper pipe.

 

[Nikana]

There are copper-to-PEX fittings, but you will have to measure and buy the correct size.

Once the copper is hooked into the PEX, you run the PEX to the new shut-off valve. Building the PEX side of things will be easy. The copper-to-PEX fitting should be easy too. Ask one of the diabetics in the colorful smock at your local hardware store and they will tell you which one to use, as long as you measure the diameter of the copper pipe.

Sounds good. Much appreciated. I think I'll order the cutter and tackle this Friday and bring the pipe in so I don't fuck it up.

Another question.

When I installed the hot water shut off valve there is the slightest drip like every 30-45 seconds. Was I supposed to put anything on the threads? I feel like I was supposed to.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

When I installed the hot water shut off valve there is the slightest drip like every 30-45 seconds. Was I supposed to put anything on the threads? I feel like I was supposed to.

Yes you probably should've used this too:

Thread seal tape - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Quick EDIT: also maybe you didn't tighten it enough. I'm not suggesting that you should crank it down until you strip the nut, but if it's a bit loose and you have no tape, yeah that's gonna slow leak.

 

[Nikana]

Yes you probably should've used this too:

Thread seal tape - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Quick EDIT: also maybe you didn't tighten it enough. I'm not suggesting that you should crank it down until you strip the nut, but if it's a bit loose and you have no tape, yeah that's gonna slow leak.

I feel like I tightened it enough and I even went back and tried to tighten a little bit more and I started getting uncomfortable with how hard I was cranking it so I stopped. The drip is so minor im thinking a little tape would help. I hope I can get it off now lol. If not I guess I'll be doubling up on those PEX.

 

[nush]

Plumbing is my weakness in home repair

Know your limits and hire a professional. Plumbing is one I'd hire someone to do because if it goes wrong, you've got no water or water everywhere and then you'd have to call a professional anyway.

 

[Pagusas]

Know your limits and hire a professional. Plumbing is one I'd hire someone to do because if it goes wrong, you've got no water or water everywhere and then you'd have to call a professional anyway.

same. Plumbing and Major electrical are the two I won’t touch. Everything else I’ll tackle.

 

[Nikana]

I feel like I tightened it enough and I even went back and tried to tighten a little bit more and I started getting uncomfortable with how hard I was cranking it so I stopped. The drip is so minor im thinking a little tape would help. I hope I can get it off now lol. If not I guess I'll be doubling up on those PEX.

Ok so I'm at the end and I feel stupid because I can't figure out this supply line to the faucet. I have an adapter that's 1/2 inch on one side and 3/8s on the other (shut off valve.)


I can't figure out how to get the supply line secured into the 3/8s hole.

 

[nush]

Ok so I'm at the end and I feel stupid because I can't figure out this supply line to the faucet. I have an adapter that's 1/2 inch on one side and 3/8s on the other (shut off valve.)


I can't figure out how to get the supply line secured into the 3/8s hole.

You're using PVC pipe with metal fittings?

 

[Tesseract]

youtube is your friend

 

[Nikana]

You're using PVC pipe with metal fittings?

No I'm not using pvc at all.

 

[nush]

No I'm not using pvc at all.

what's that white thing?

 

[Nikana]

youtube is your friend

I've googled it but nothing. I think the guy either sold me the wrong thing or I'm just an idiot and am missing something obvious.

 

[Nikana]

what's that white thing?

Supply line.

 

[Nikana]

I'm guessing maybe I'm supposed to just compress this end with like a pair of pliers and make it fit in the hole?

 

[Richard Packer]

I'm guessing maybe I'm supposed to just compress this end with like a pair of pliers and make it fit in the hole?

Do not do this. Are all these pieces apart of a kit?

 

[Nikana]

Do not do this. Are all these pieces apart of a kit?

Haven't done anything. The guy told me the shut off valve has the nut which unscrewed off the valve.

Then he said the supply line comes with the plastic piece, which is the little white ring, that goes inside the shut off valve, but that ring is too big and doesn't fit inside the off valve valve.

The tube basically has no way to grip/catch anything inside the shut off valve.

 

[mango drank]

Supply line.

At the risk of posting the obvious, these are supply lines (below), and they sell them everywhere. Did they sell you some kind of DIY assemble-your-own-supply-line kit instead?

 

[Richard Packer]

Haven't done anything. The guy told me the shut off valve has the nut which unscrewed off the valve.

Then he said the supply line comes with the plastic piece, which is the little white ring, that goes inside the shut off valve, but that ring is too big and doesn't fit inside the off valve valve.

The tube basically has no way to grip/catch anything inside the shut off valve.

You should have gotten measurements before buying that kit. In all honesty I don't think we will be able to help you. We'd need to do a video call and you most likely will need equipment. Call in a guy.

 

[Nikana]

At the risk of posting the obvious, these are supply lines (below), and they sell them everywhere. Did you buy some kind of DIY assemble-your-own-supply-line kit?

I'm thinking the guy was trying to do me a solid and sell me the cheapest thing because it looks like the ends of the pictures you posted would simply screw onto the shut off valve. Where as the part he sold me requires cutting off some sort.

 

[Nikana]

You should have gotten measurements before buying that kit. In all honesty I don't think we will be able to help you. We'd need to do a video call and you most likely will need equipment. Call in a guy.

Appreciate the help but I feel like I've gotten this far, the pipe ran it's secured and not leaking, that id like to figure it out so next time I have an understanding.

 

[mango drank]

Yeah, that's exactly how supply lines are supposed to work, they just screw onto the 3/8" hole in the shutoff valve. The second pic I showed was some random Google result, the top one (metallic) is most common from what I've seen. Small end screws onto the shutoff valve, and the bigger end screws onto the faucet under the countertop.

 

[Nikana]

Yeah, that's exactly how supply lines are supposed to work, they just screw onto the 3/8" hole in the shutoff valve. The second pic I showed was some random Google result, the top one (metallic) is most common from what I've seen. Small end screws onto the shutoff valve, and the bigger end screws onto the faucet under the countertop.

I'm thinking the guy sold me the wrong supply line size. I'll just return it and grab one that simply screws on. The shut off valve is working so the leak has been fixed and I can live without cold water from one sink for a day vs no water in the whole house .

 

[nush]

I'm guessing maybe I'm supposed to just compress this end with like a pair of pliers and make it fit in the hole?

 

[Nikana]

Something has to create compression! SOMEONE COMPRESS THIS.

 

[nush]

Something has to create compression! SOMEONE COMPRESS THIS.

 

[Nikana]

I'd give you gold if I could sir/madam.

 

[Knitted Knight]

A picture of the shut-off valve connections and how the sink looks inside the cabinet would help a ton and clarify a ton before giving pointers. I see some users have tried to point you in the right direction. Youtube videos are better sometimes at letting you know how to fix these things rather than paying attention to a Homedepot or Lowe's employee's (confusion happens easily and they give you the wrong shit or advice you poorly).

The small leaks are a bitch, and usually just means it needs to be extra tightened with a good amount of thread tape (and yes sometimes it requires strong tightening - requiring a force the like of which you assume shouldn't be "normal"). Maybe even a slight sanding is required if there is some green oxidation on the copper pipe etc (before attaching the shut off valve).

In short - pics are king. Good luck.

You'll need two of these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/ANVIL-6-in-Adjustable-Wrench-ANVILW6ADJ/303719699

One to tighten the nut, the other to hold the valve in place while tightening.

 

[SpiceRacz]

Also, grab one of these if you plan on doing your own plumbing in the future.

 

[notseqi]

Screw until nuts tighten, then release.

Loved doing plumbing work at home but so much stuff has been updated, i.e. leak proofing metal tubing with hemp rope and paste.

 

[GymWolf]

I tought this was a stealth topic about fixing your dick...

 

[Elektro Demon]

Dude, you're asking for tradesman advice on a gaming forum. This is when you know it's time to call a professional plumber.

 

[DeceptiveAlarm]

Don't use that hard supply line. Go buy the flex one that was posted. Much easier and imo better.

 

[Woo-Fu]

Old cut-off valves that are rarely used will leak a bit when you use them again but that will usually seal right back up after a little while. The packing around shaft of the valve handle gets really hard, takes awhile to form a seal again. At least that's what I think happens. Worst case scenario you turn the water off further down the line and repack the valve.

If you have to sweat and/or thread pipe you should get somebody who knows what they're doing in there. The odds of you doing a good job on your first attempt are practically nil.

 

[DeceptiveAlarm]

When I commented I didn't realize this was a week old. I'm guessing you got it or flooded/burnt down your house by now.