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Worn hand gripping a pair of pliers on a bench
Hands that have turned a lot of valves.

Home service

Aisle 5 · Emergencies

Main shut-off valve replacement in North York

The main shut-off is the one valve everyone needs in an emergency and nobody touches the rest of the time. That is why so many of them are seized.

  • We start at the wherever the water is
  • On the van: pipe wrenches and fittings
  • You see the broken part before you hear a number
  • Every fixture on the run tested before we leave
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  • Licensed and insured (details on the call)
  • Price agreed before work starts
  • North York and next door

Find yours today

In most North York houses it is in the basement on the front wall, where the water pipe pokes through the foundation, close to the meter. Look for a round handle or a lever on the pipe just before the meter. In some side-splits it is in a crawlspace or under the stairs. In condos, each suite usually has its own valve near the water heater or laundry.

Signs it needs replacing

  • Round wheel handle that will not turn or turns without stopping the flow
  • Drip from the stem when it is moved
  • Green or white crust around the packing nut
  • Valve on a lead service, which should be dealt with anyway

In most North York houses it is in the basement on the front wall, where the water pipe pokes through the foundation, close to the meter.

From the counter

The replacement

To swap the house valve, the water has to be stopped upstream. That means the curb stop at the property line, operated by the City of Toronto. We coordinate this: you or we call 311 to arrange a shut-off, or we time the job with the City's crew. Once the line is dead, the old gate valve is cut out and in goes a full-port brass ball valve. A second valve after the meter makes future meter work easier.

Test it twice a year. Close the main fully and open it again. A valve that moves now and then is a valve that works when you need it.

While the water is off

Since the City has shut the curb stop, it is the moment to check the service pipe itself. If it is dull grey and soft, it may be lead. We can scratch-test it and talk through replacement on your side of the property line.

Questions

Can I replace the valve without shutting the curb stop?

No. The main valve is the first one inside the house; the only thing upstream is the City curb stop.

What kind of valve is best?

A full-port brass ball valve. It shuts with a quarter turn and does not restrict flow when open.

How the job runs

  1. You callDescribe what is dripping, backing up or cold, and the cross streets.
  2. We ask questionsAge of the building, pipe type if you know it, where the shut-off is.
  3. We open it upTrap off, clean-out open or wall cut: find the actual fault before quoting the fix.
  4. We test itOpen each tap on that run, watch the joints dry and show you what came out.