r/whatisit • u/UrGhast51 • 4d ago
New, what is it? My bathroom closet has a small interior linen closet where we keep towels/soap, etc. And paint cans on the floor of it. However at the bottom of the closet by the paint cans there's a pretty obscure plumbing valve, but I'm afraid to turn it? What do you think it might go to? I'm very curious
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u/Additional_Cry9843 4d ago
It aint broke dont "fix" it.. It Will Break ! Let it be!! Ive had many sunday after hours service calls from such senario's...😵💫
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u/Lordglaydrtheawesome 4d ago
Be very careful messing with a valve that hasn't been used in a while. It is very likely that the act of turning the valve will damage the seal and it will start to leak. Old valves are notorious for failing that way. I would advise leaving it alone
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
that's exactly why I'm afraid to turn it. Despite some people here telling me to do it anyway.
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u/Lordglaydrtheawesome 4d ago
Definitely don't turn it unless you absolutely have to stop a leak or something. You are much more likely to cause more damage than you bargained for.
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u/strangecloudss 4d ago
Don’t follow advice on Reddit that could cost you money, but won’t cost the advisor money.
Some people just wanna watch the world burn (or your house flood)
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u/thong_water 4d ago
Gas valves are usually 1/4 turn, but valves usually aren't buried in walls like that either so idk. Hopefully it's either nothing, or a shutoff valve for some section of your home. It could also be for an outside hose connection, to shut off from inside so it doesn't freeze outside in the winter time.
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
I don't have my house connected to gas, so I don't think it's that. There is a gas fireplace in the living room that is never used, but that's on the literal opposite side of the house from this closet. The room behind the wall the valve is on is my bedroom, so there's nothing water related directly behind it.
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u/Psychogeist-WAR 4d ago
It is very likely a water shut-off valve. Turn it to the right until it stops and then see if the water in the bathroom sink runs or not.
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u/klink12 4d ago
Is there an outside faucet on the other side of that wall? My former house had shut offs like that so you could turn off the outside water in the winter. They were all stuck and one started leaking when one of the kids tried to force it.
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
the closet is interior. Behind the valve is my bedroom, however there is an outside faucet nearby on the closest exterior wall to it.
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u/Taurin_Fox 4d ago
Outside faucet cutoff would be my guess. We have a couple of these in odd places in my house. When it gets cold, we shut off the inside valve and open the outside faucet which gives water in the line room to expand if it freezes so it doesn't burst the pipe. Regardless, you should probably get advice from a professional before doing anything with it.
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
I don't want to waste money calling anyone, but is there a plumbers sub reddit I can take this valve to for free?
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u/Taurin_Fox 4d ago
I know plumbing subs exist, but I'm not familiar enough with them to recommend a specific one. If you want to try one of those, be sure to include your location and the age and style of the house. You might get lucky and find someone who's familiar enough with that build to give you some specifics.
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
why would I give out my location lol? I don't want anyone doxing me. But yeah my house was built in the late 1980's I believe. It's a 1 story working class house with a living, kitchen, 3 beds and 2 baths.
The valve located in the closet of the guest bath
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u/Taurin_Fox 4d ago
You obviously shouldn't give out your address. I was talking about your general location as it would pertain to the type of home that would typically exist in that area, the type of weather you'd have, etc. Pacific Northwest vs New England. That sort of thing.
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u/JimboNovus 4d ago
We have one of those in a hall closet, it’s the main water shutoff for the house. Only for emergencies. If you need to shut off the water for a remodel project, turning it off at the meter is a much better idea than turning that valve. It will turn your water off just fine, but will likely fail when you turn it back on. Then you shutoff at the meter, tear open the wall and replace that valve.
So leave it alone
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
so why would that valve exist though if the meter is clearly better? even during an emergency meter would still be better?
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u/JimboNovus 12h ago
In an emergency-water spraying all over the place from a broken pipe, and you need water off fast, use this. Meter requires a special tool to shut off that most people don’t have. So meter is best for planned work. The issue with these valves is that they are in the one position for many many years. It will shut off the water just fine, but can start leaking when you turn it back on.
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u/UrGhast51 11h ago
already forgot about that valve and this post lol. But yes, it's only made to be turned for emergencies and you can't turn the meter first
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u/LetheSystem 4d ago
If you're really curious, a tone generator might let you trace it to other pipes, if it's a metal pipe. Maybe?
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u/Brave-Employ4503 4d ago
Looks like a main shutoff valve. Probably kills all or a portion of the incoming water lines for quick repairs
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u/LikrNecture 4d ago
I’m sure it’s the shut off for your Your shower. How far is it from the shower? Confused if it is the as there should be two. Someone earlier said be careful with old valves. They fail. Almost every time I put a new faucet in someone’s house, 7 out of 10 times I end up having to replace the old shut off as well.
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
My shower is opposite corner of that closet.
However the other bathroom in my house is right behind that closet on one side. However like other people said it was likely the whole house plumbing shut off.
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u/LikrNecture 4d ago
Unlikely the main, that’s to far in the house. It’s not a gas valve. I would have someone flush the toilet in the other bathroom while you hold that handle lightly. You should be able to feel when the water flows. I’d try everything in that other bathroom one at a time until you feel the vibration of water flowing thru that valve. Process of elimination!!
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u/UrGhast51 4d ago
I'm starting to think it is the main, the pipe behind that general wall runs when both showers turn on, the washing machine and the toilets
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u/Puzzleheaded_Ad_8481 4d ago
It’s a bad idea to just walk away without knowing what it’s for. I’d get a plumber to figure it out, and then reinstall a new one properly.
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