Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Replacing Kitchen Faucet--Can't get water shut off first

I want to replace my kitchen faucet. But I can't get the water supply shut off. I've tightened the valves as best I can but there is still a VERY slow but steady stream of water coming out.

I thought maybe there was just water left in the pipes and it would stop eventually. But I left it alone for a good 10 minutes and still ran. Also it doesn't seem to matter if put it on all hot or all cold. The water still comes out at the same rate. If I put it on all hot, the water that comes out is hot. I put it on all cold, it is cold.

Can anyone suggest something?

TIA!

Don

Turn off the main in-house water valve.
This should be where the water line first enters the house.
This will, of course, turn off all the water to all the fixtures in the house, but is the fastest sollution to when undersink valves don't shut off completely.

Thanks for the fast reply. But I don't have access to the main--this is a large apartment building.

So in your apartment there's absolutely -NO- master shut-off valve that shuts off all fixtures?
Nothing in anysort of utility room?
If so... well... firstly that a violation of most states building codes, primarily for emergency situations. You may want you raise this issue with your building management.

Okay then, if there's no master valve in your apartment have you tried to use pliers to -GENTLY- turn the undersink valves? Sometimes older twist valves don't go off completely just turning by hand, and so need a little extra twist by pliers. Just be -VERY- careful about this, little valves are easily broken, especially if any part is plastic.

So in your apartment there's absolutely -NO- master shut-off valve that shuts off all fixtures?
Nothing in anysort of utility room?
If so... well... firstly that a violation of most states building codes, primarily for emergency situations.

Not that I've ever seen. Electrical Panel--yes. Water shut off never seen one--I've been here several years.


Okay then, if there's no master valve in your apartment have you tried to use pliers to -GENTLY- turn the valves? Sometimes older twist valves don't go off completely just turning by hand, and so need a little extra twist by pliers. Just be -VERY- careful about this, little valves are easily broken, especially if any part is plastic.

I've tried the pliers--the knob started to bend. The valves aren't plastic. The feeds are copper with copper valves--then the high pressure supply lines to the faucet.

EDIT: This apt bldg has been here since the 50s--so maybe it's grandfathered in?

A building of that age... it is possible there are things grandfathered in that aren't permissible today.

Now without seeing your situation, and with no way of gettng the water sufficiently off, you may need to consult with your building manager (if you have one) or a plumber.
The worst thing that you could do would be to force the valve, have it break and then have no way of shutting off the water spraying from a broken valve, so to be safe you may want to consider a pro... if for nothing else than to have the valves checked out.

Sorry, that's all my addled mind can think of right now.

The worst thing that you could do would be to force the valve, have it break and then have no way of shutting off the water spraying from a broken valve,.....

You got THAT right! THAT would be a serious problem! :eek:

Thanks anyway.

Years ago, I worked in plenty of apartments in older buildings. None of them ever had main shutoffs. Does this building have a super. Knock and his door and tell him your problem. He'll find a convenient time to shut the water off so this can be done. He may require you get a plumber to do it or for a few bucks volunteer to do it himself. Have him change the shut off valves under the sink as well.:)