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Shutting Off Water and Installing Shutoff Valve — Restore Water and Check for Leaks

Beginner2 hours

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How to Make a Quick Pipe Repair with Push-to-Connect Fittings · Step 7 of 7

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In this video

First turn off your house's main water valve. Next, open the faucet or the fixture you're working on to drain as much remaining water from the pipes as possible. Use emery cloth to clean the pipe. Once the main water line is off, take the compression stop, which comes in three parts: nut, a brass ring, and the fitting. Measure the pipe to fit the length of the compression stop. Use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe at the marked spot. Screw in the nut and the brass ring that will hold it in place. Snug the connection and then tighten with two wrenches. Make sure everything is completely closed. Turn the main water supply valve back on, and open the faucet or fixture. Let the water run to ensure that the connection is holding tight.

Goal: Prepare the water supply for the new toilet

  • Ensure that the main water valve is closed by running water in other areas of the house.

Used in this video

  • Emery cloth (Material Compatibility: Copper, PVC)Cleaning pipe surface for fitting
  • Tubing cutter (brand: Ridgid, Material Compatibility: Copper)Cutting pipe to length
  • Wrench (Material Compatibility: Copper, PVC)Tightening nuts and fittings
  • Compression Stop (Material Compatibility: Copper)Stops water flow when closed
  • Measuring Tape (Material Compatibility: Copper)Measure the length to where the compression stop fits on the pipe
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FAQs

Do I need special tools like a tubing cutter and reamer, or can I use basic tools I already own for this repair?

Yes, a dedicated tubing cutter and a deburring tool are highly recommended for this project. They ensure clean, straight cuts and smooth pipe ends, which are crucial for a leak-proof seal with push-to-connect fittings. Using incorrect tools can damage the pipe or compromise the fitting's integrity.

What's the most critical safety step I need to take before starting any plumbing repair, especially this one?

The absolute most critical step is to completely shut off the main water supply to your home or the affected area and drain the pipes thoroughly. This prevents accidental flooding and ensures you can work safely without water pressure. Always double-check by opening a nearby faucet to confirm no water is flowing.

Is the 2-hour estimated time realistic for a beginner, and what might make the project take longer?

For a beginner, 2 hours is a realistic estimate if you have all your tools and materials ready and the damaged section is easily accessible. The project might take longer if you encounter unexpected pipe types, struggle to make straight cuts, or need extra time to locate and operate your home's main water shut-off valve.

What are the most common mistakes beginners make when installing push-to-connect fittings, and how can I avoid leaks?

Common mistakes include not properly deburring pipe ends, failing to mark the correct insertion depth, and not pushing the pipe fully into the fitting. To avoid leaks, ensure all pipe ends are smooth, mark the recommended insertion depth from the fitting's instructions, and apply firm, even pressure until the pipe is fully seated.

Transcript
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So we're going to start with the water connection. Now any plumbing fixtures you have a separate service shut off, we're going to install one like this right on this pipe. But right now we have full water pressure behind that pipe so we don't want to cut it yet. What we need to do is to shut the water coming into the house. Line over that is. Go do that, great. All right Richard, I've shut off the main and opened up all the sinks upstairs. All right. So let's open up this faucet right here. Some of the last of water will drip out but we won't get all of it. So there's still going to be some water right here so when we cut it, we'll catch it in the shallow pin. Now before we cut it, I always like to clean the pipe first so this is an emery cloth. All right, that looks clean enough. Now we are going to install this shut off and if it's a solderless connection, there's a nut right here we'll tighten up and they also have this nice chrome flange. So we actually want to cut the pipe off right about there. Good. Okay, here it comes. Not too bad. Now we put our discussion plate on and now this is our compression stop and the connection is made up of a nut, a brass ring that goes over the copper and the fitting itself. So there's the nut, the brass ring goes over the copper and now as we tighten up this nut, it'll actually deform that brass ring right down onto the copper so tight that it makes a watertight connection. So we snug it up by hand and finish it off with two wrenches. All right, so the water's back on, our shut off is holding tight.

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