How do I the shut off water valve to my bathroom sink?

Question

I read a "do-it-yourself" on how to fix a leaky faucet. However, I can't find any knobs behind, under or around anywhere to shut the water off! I have a wall mounted sink with no cabinet underneath. Any idea where I could look ? Do I have to try and find the main water valve and shut the water off to the entire house??

Answer 1

you may have to find the main and shut it off there.

If you do, plan to install a few shutoffs behind the sink or the floor below. also, shut down the hot water heater.

Answer 2

Bathroom Sink Shut Off Valve

Answer 3

In some homes where the sink is mounted to the wall, as in your case, there may be shut off valves in the basement directly under the bathroom. If there are none there then you will most likely need to shut off the main water the open the bath room sink faucets to drain off excess water. Good luck.

Answer 4

Follow the plumbing supply line until there is two separate valves or you could go to the the hot water tank and shut of main supply line (hot water) there and city line (cold water) then drain the line from your tap first to make sure you have no running water. If you need to remove the entire faucet then you will need a pail to drain the rest of the line from the connection of the taps. Then you can fix the faucet. However, you should have two visible small half inch valves connected to any faucet underneath any sinks. If you don't have one, I suggest putting them in for future problems just in case which you can do it your self or hire a plumber. Once you are done fixing your taps, make sure you close you taps, then open up both supply lines, and go back to sinks and open then to make sure they are running and flush out the water for about a minute or until water looks clean again. Also don't forget to check for any signs of leaks after finishing fixing faucet, so just be sure.

Answer 5

If your working on it anyway, shut off the main valve for a few hours and add a shut-off valve to the sink. You'll be grateful you did later down the road

Answer 6

It sounds like you don't have any shut off valves. Find the water shut off valve where the water enters the house, or go to the meter out by the street. Drain the water by opening a faucet, and I suggest you install shut off valves. Remove one of the connections that you have now, and take it top your local supply house, where they can make sure you get the right shut off for your particular situation. Make sure you use some teflon tape, or joint seal compound before you install your new stops. You should also replace the supply lines, with new flexible supply lines. When you turn the water back on, ease the valve on, instead of just turning it fully open. This will ensure you don't blow a fitting off, if you didn't tighten it enough. Check for leaks with a paper towel.

Answer 7

Go to the basement and try and follow the pipe, when you think you have the correct one turn it off. If it isn't, go to the next one, etc. Or, as you say, get everything ready and go like heck to repair it once the water is off. I've done this.

If this is your house, make a point of it, when the weather is nice to put shut-offs under the sink, it's not that hard.

Answer 8

In older houses, they did not put individual valves for shutting off the supply lines. You will have to find the main water shut off to do your work. I would suggest that you go ahead and upgrade by putting in the shut off valves while you have everything off.

Answer 9

If they're not immediately under the sink, it was probably installed without them, or a remodel put them behind a wall.

Shut off the main valve.

Bummer.

Answer 10

there should be a cut off right under the sink....if not then go cut the main off and bleeed the lines and there u got it.......open the lowest water outlet in the house to drain it.

lic. gen. contractor