Main Shut-Off Valve Replacement in Ajax

Telltales that call for main shut-off valve replacement

Many homeowners only try the main valve during an emergency, and that is when they learn it will not turn. Old gate valves are the usual problem: the handle spins, the stem snaps, or the gate drops inside the body so the water never fully stops.

• The handle will not move, or moves without slowing the water
• Drips or green crust around the stem or the joints
• A valve buried behind drywall or shelving
• No valve on the house side of the meter at all

How we do the work

We replace old gate valves with full-port quarter-turn ball valves, which close with a single turn of the lever and rarely seize. To do that, the Region's curb valve by the lot line has to be closed first. In Durham that usually means arranging a shut-off with the Region ahead of time, and we handle the timing with you.

With the line dry, we cut out the old valve, fit the new one on clean pipe, and test for leaks under full pressure. If the copper or galvanized pipe beside it is in poor shape, we will show you and talk about replacing a short section at the same time.

On Ajax streets

Homes built through the 1960s and 1970s in South and Central Ajax often still have their original gate valve. In some basements it sits behind a finished wall with only a small hatch, or none. Newer houses are better, but builders sometimes tuck the main beside the furnace where it is awkward to reach.

Price swings on

The time it takes to get the curb stop closed, the condition of the pipe on each side, and how much finishing has to be opened up all play a part. A plain swap on accessible copper is a short visit.

Worth asking the plumber

• Should the valve be replaced before I go away for the winter?
• Is my pipe from the street copper, galvanized or plastic?
• Does it make sense to add a pressure reducing valve at the same time?

Pressure and the main

While the main is open, it is a good moment to check your water pressure. Some homes in lower parts of Ajax see higher pressure from the street, which is hard on fixtures, washer hoses and water heaters. A gauge on an outdoor tap gives a quick reading, and a pressure reducing valve can be fitted right after the new shut-off if the number is high.

We also check that the ground wire across the meter, if your home has one, is still in place once the work is done.