Deficient Water Shut-Off Valves

One minor defect I see fairly often are hot and/or cold water shut off valves that are severely corroded.   For those who aren’t aware water shut-off valves are an integral part of a home’s plumbing system and every home usually has several located at different plumbing fixtures. The most important valve is, of course, the main shut-off valve which will shut-off the water flow to the entire home.  It is important to know exactly where this valve is located in the event of a leak within the home.  Of course, every toilet and sink in the home also have shutoff valves, usually located behind the toilet tank or in the cabinet under the sink.  It is important to routinely inspect and operate all of the shutoff valves, making sure they work properly, and fixing them if needed.  Over time shut-off valves can be prone to problems and plumbing nightmares.  When these valves become severely corroded it may be time to replace the valve and avoid major headaches down the road.  These corroded valves are in fact caused by leaking. While it may not be catastrophic it is an issue that can turn into a major one if left uncorrected.