Bathroom Sink Shut Off Valves

Every bathroom sink has two shut-off valves, one for hot water and other for cold water. These valves are located under the sink, usually behind the faucets. The purpose of these valves is to turn off the water supply to the sink, which is necessary for repairs or replacement of the faucet or other plumbing fixtures.

Shut-off valves are typically made of brass or plastic and have a handle or knob that is turned to open or close the valve. The handle is usually red for hot water and blue for cold water. Some shut-off valves have a quarter-turn handle, while others have a multi-turn handle. Quarter-turn valves require only a quarter turn of the handle to open or close the valve, while multi-turn valves require multiple turns of the handle to open or close the valve.

It is important to know where the shut-off valves are located in your bathroom so that you can turn off the water supply if necessary. If you are unable to locate the shut-off valves, you can contact a plumber for assistance.

In addition to the shut-off valves under the sink, there may also be a main shut-off valve for the entire house. This valve is usually located near the water meter or in the basement. The main shut-off valve can be used to turn off the water supply to the entire house in the event of an emergency, such as a burst pipe.

It is important to keep the shut-off valves in good working condition. If a shut-off valve is leaking, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible. A leaking shut-off valve can waste water and lead to higher water bills.

Here are some tips for maintaining your bathroom sink shut-off valves:

Inspect the shut-off valves regularly for leaks.

If a shut-off valve is leaking, tighten the packing nut around the valve stem.

If tightening the packing nut does not stop the leak, the shut-off valve may need to be replaced.

Do not overtighten the packing nut, as this can damage the valve.

If you are not comfortable working on plumbing fixtures, you can contact a plumber for assistance.

By following these tips, you can keep your bathroom sink shut-off valves in good working condition and avoid costly plumbing repairs.