Water shut-off valve: which way to turn it off and how to deal with a jam?

Hello, how to turn off the valve that shuts off the water to the house? I mean which way. Does it matter, because I tried but it doesn`t want to move in any direction.

Not enough data, I don`t know what "shut-off valve" means in your case, maybe you can post a photo (only a clear one).

In general, all gates, valves, etc. are "normal for water" - they are unscrewed to the left and turned to the right...

emilpawlicki wrote:

Hello, how to turn off the valve that shuts off the water to the house?

Is it the one in the street? Call the waterworks. In my case it was double and when they tampered with the meter, they locked up my neighbor first instead of me. 10 years ago they renovated the connections and water supply in the street and now everyone has their own gate valve in the street (in the sidewalk rather than in the road).

>>20617484
The photos below show valves blocking cold and hot water in the kitchen
my problem: this knob with a blue symbol is used to close the water for the dishwasher (the hose running downwards) - it must have been turned, because when I turn it to the right to close it (I can also hear a slight humming sound at certain moments when I turn it, as if there was a spring inside) ... so I can turn it and turn it and nothing, I thought it was closed, but when I loosened the nut at the bottom of the hose, water started spraying under pressure, the valve that screws in at an angle actually works and I can, for example, close the cold water with replacing the tap at the kitchen sink - question: is there any way to do this without closing the main shut-off valve?

Second thing, second photo - it's about the cut-off valve for hot water; similar here; I can turn this knob and it will not work to turn off the hot water, is it possible to somehow remove the handle (knob) to turn it? I tried to remove this knob... but I stopped after I thought that I could mess something up there and when hot water starts gushing out downstairs in the kitchen, it might not be interesting... thank you in advance for any advice and suggestions

Yes, you can remove the blue plastic and there may be a screw/nut there. This needs to be unscrewed and the knob removed. Then you check whether your knob is functional (if there are any teeth) and if something happens, buy a new knob and that`s it. The same is true for warm water.

ta_tar wrote:

Yes, you can remove the blue plastic and there may be a screw/nut there. This needs to be unscrewed and the knob removed. Then you check whether your knob is functional (if there are any teeth) and if something happens, buy a new knob and that's it. The same is true for warm water.

It's mainly about hot water. After unscrewing the screw, the knob unfortunately cannot be removed... apparently it can be pushed in? I'm afraid that if I treat them too hard, I'll start spraying them with warm water and then... I haven't closed the water in front of the valve in question for now, so the surgery will be performed on an open patient.

Can you take an accurate photo?

Yes, it`s a push. Once you have the plastic removed, turn the knob and look inside where you unscrewed the screw.

Here you can see a shot from the side

I was more interested in the place where the screw was (from the front of the valve).

pawtys wrote:

Here you can see a side shot

...maybe I can put WD 40 under the knob... and then it will come off easier?

Added after 12 [minutes]:

>>20632005
As I wrote, I haven't been able to remove this knob yet
Here is a photo after removing the screw

The focus of the photo is busy. Can`t it be better?

It didn't work, you can't see anything else there - only the thread is visible and that's all

1. A gate valve in the street or sidewalk, if it is more than 10 years old, usually cannot be closed. At least tightly. An additional effect is that a lot of sediments that it will dislodge will end up in the home installation.
2. If these valves cannot be moved, remove the knob and instead grab the pin with a frog. To try. And then replace it at the same time. If they are not touched once a month/quarter, they quickly become covered with sediment and stop functioning. Especially ball ones. Especially Chinese ones. Look for a ceramic insert (expensive) or switch to a mushroom insert. But move them anyway as soon as you remember.

>>20632105
..now I understand, you wanted to know whether, for example, after removing the screw, you can
press the key .. or something like this?

Added after 31 [minutes]:

palmus wrote:

These valves, if they cannot be moved,

Thank you for the tips, the two photos show what the knob (after removing the screw) and at least part of the valve (what is under the knob) look like and what cross-section it has. Question; Can this knob be used to the right or left with pliers to bend/destroy/break it or somehow pry it from the back? etc. and howl or is there a more gentle way?

additional information: after removing the screw, the knob can be turned relatively freely (but as I wrote earlier, the knob is practically useless) and when the screw is tightened tightly, a lot of force is required to turn the knob.
..this blue key goes into this knob as far as I hold it with my finger

Added after 5 [hours] 47 [minutes]:

>>20632105
Is it normal that when I turn it 10 or 15 times to the right, the valve moves down, but hot water flows from the tap? Should I turn it all the way to the right? And should it finally turn off the hot water? For now, I gave up and turned it back because water started leaking slightly from the valve - a few drops for a few hours. Does turning it to the right to the left do anything?
But I don't think it's surprising that it's leaking, because since the edges are rusty and when I screwed into these areas, it must be leaking. I thought that I should turn it all the way to the right, i.e. close it, clean the threads and the rest, and then back again... [url=https://obrazki.elektroda.pl/7697129200_1687890347.jpg6299459ff2 [/url]
Any advice/tips?

pawtys wrote:

after removing the screw, you can turn the knob more freely (but as I wrote earlier, the knob is practically useless)

If so, treat the knob with a saw blade (cut it) and then show us what`s underneath.

Mix it up. But first, have a new one in stock, because while turning, the pin may break off or some mess will get stuck and it won`t close again.

I managed to unscrew the knob without any cuts
I used WD 40 lightly and turned the knob normally
What is under the knob - see the photo above. You can turn this tetrahedron, but I didn't finish turning it to the right... drops of water started to appear, little by little, but always... while the valve "piston" was moving

Added after 17 [minutes]:

>>20633339 after cleaning the outside of this valve, let it rest until tomorrow. For now, you can turn this valve by holding it with your fingers. Do you think I can turn it slowly clockwise until it closes? Have I opened it so much that I have to turn it from 10-15 full turns to close?

emarcus wrote:

rotate its spindle as many full revolutions as you want

Thank you for the tips!
I don't know because I haven't reached the end until I turn right.
I will most likely replace this valve and the cold water valve immediately.
And considering your idea of replacing these 3 parts - I can do it, e.g. buy a whole similar valve and use it as a dose. - this is the most economical option. What stresses me out the most about this whole operation is unscrewing the valve from the wall ...such things are not done often (i.e. practically never so maybe it's better to hire a plumber who will come (if he comes ) and he will do it with a smile on his face.

pawtys wrote:

so maybe it`s better to hire a plumber who will come (if he comes ) and he will do it with a smile on his face.

We don`t know if he`ll do it with a smile, but it`s the best idea. Let him replace both valves immediately with something newer, it will (hopefully) last for years.

literally with a smile, seriously )
And it will come again because the valve he installed (a new one) does not close completely
I went further... I will replace all the older types in my house with new ones and/or those that do not function 100% with new ones

It's a good thing, I'm glad because there will be another flushing of the installation in my entire apartment

emarcus wrote:

Rinsing

As a rule, when you open a closed installation, it will throw out scale and other things
Well, is it true or not?

emarcus wrote:

with smile

naturally, because he did the work on other topics.
He counted... he hasn't counted anything yet - he will get it when he finishes it


He left... well, he left the valves open
Nothing's working

Two smiling plumbers from the municipal company once came to me to replace a water meter.
When they saw the old NIBCO, one of them started sweating 😀.

Not bad )