delusions of grandeur Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Okay, so I'm trying to fix a leak coming from the hot side of my dual handle shower faucet. I'm aware of all the steps I need to do, but execution is a bitch... I cannot locate the master shutoff for the water (not my house, owner is unavailable to ask), but after talking to the guys at the hardware store, just turning off the hot water heater and shutting off the supply from there should have been good enough to stop the HOT side. So now I've been sitting here for about 30 minutes or so waiting for the water to drain out. There is little to no pressure, yet hot water continues to run at a very light pace with little indication is about to be done draining.... I'm assuming I've done something wrong, but is it common for it to take this long to drain out in a small 3 bedroom house? (Also if anyone has any tips to get off the stuck faucet handle head without one of those special tools, would be greatly appreciated) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delusions of grandeur Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 Really, no one has any insight on how long it should take for the faucet to drain out, or if there's something else I needed to shut off? Could really use some help before this starts costing some major bucks on the water bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukon Cornelius Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 if you are draining the whole system it could take quite a while. are you sweating the pipe or do you only need to replace the shut off valve at the shower. Open other faucets in the house may help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Open other faucets in the house may help. And if you have a electric hot water heater make sure it is off. And make sure it is full of water again before you turn it back on again. Do this by turning on the water at the shut off and turn on your faucets. Otherwise you will burn up the elements and that is another project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delusions of grandeur Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 And if you have a electric hot water heater make sure it is off. And make sure it is full of water again before you turn it back on again. Do this by turning on the water at the shut off and turn on your faucets. Otherwise you will burn up the elements and that is another project. Thanks guys! I have turned the water heater off, and cut it off coming from the water heater, not going to it as far as I can tell... Other than that, how can I make sure it's still full of water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delusions of grandeur Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 if you are draining the whole system it could take quite a while. are you sweating the pipe or do you only need to replace the shut off valve at the shower. Open other faucets in the house may help. I am just trying to replace the shutoff valve at the shower, as that appears to be the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 (edited) Open all the hot water faucets in the house. ETA: Whoops, a day late, a dollar short. Edited November 8, 2011 by Hugh 0ne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Is your water heater in a basement? If so, follow the cold line coming in all the way back. It should lead you to the main shut off valve to the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fingfootball Posted November 8, 2011 Share Posted November 8, 2011 Thanks guys! I have turned the water heater off, and cut it off coming from the water heater, not going to it as far as I can tell... Other than that, how can I make sure it's still full of water? Depending how big your place is, if you shut off the water coming from the hot water heater I wouldnt think that it would take very long to drain the lines. When your project is done and you open the shut off at your hot water heater back on you should hear air coming through the hot faucets after that water will come through. That should be the sign that your hot water heater is full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 No, I don't have a plumbing question, but thanks for asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Once you shut the water off at the water heater and open the faucet it shoold drain down in about a minute or so. Now if your water heater is in the attic it could be pulling a siphon from the tank but it sounds like the shut off vale at the water heater is not completely off. perhaps you need to take a pair of pliers and tighten it down a LITTLE. You can sometimes get the handle off by tapping on it and wiggling it back and forth. Be aware though that in some cases you could break the stem. The special tool really works great. You could use a little WD40 to help. The main shut off to the house can usually be found in the front in line with the water meter and the sillcock a few feet from the house. You may need to use a screw driver and poke around a little. No guarentee its there though. Feel free to PM if you need more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 If you know a good plumber in DFW, I'm taking estimates/bids. PM me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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