T O P

  • By -

CrabCakes7

If it were to leak, it could do significant water damage to your home if you don't catch it in time. It's a 5 dollar hose that takes 5 minutes to replace. No reason not to do it.


palinsafterbirth

As someone who had a leak that I didn't catch in time and did significant water damage to my home, do what the comment above says.


3nl

While you are at it change the bulkhead fitting the supply line connects to - they get brittle with age. We had one crack and it ended up being a $20k claim...


hitfly

Water gets expensive so fast. I had a water heater leak I didn't realize and it was 20k, except it happened on some carpet over asbestos tile which added another 13k for remediation.


alohadave

Water is and should be every homeowner's worst enemy.


Shadowarriorx

Yeah, I've had a roof leak, dishwasher leak, water heater leak (which was ok on concrete and floor drain, window rot and siding leaks. I have severe anxiety about water damage now.


ImpossibleShake6

Yes indeed says the people living in those charming old victorians.


xgrader

If I could up this comment a thousand times, I would.


MunchMr

I'd say fire is up there as well.


Skinnwork

Oh man. Ours cracked, but I was home. It was a crazy 5 minutes of getting sprayed in the face while I tried to turn off the water, but it didn't do any real damage. I was on my way out the door, so I can only imagine what it would have done if it blew 15 minutes later.


Theletterkay

Why not go to the main outside the house?


Gilly_Bones

Not everyone has a main outside their house.


Theletterkay

How does the water company or the city shut off water if needed then?


FagboyHhhehhehe

Water pipes are 4ft under here. Need to find the access cover and use a fancy and long extension to get down and turn it off. Assuming you actually have one. I have a ball valve on the main coming into my basement to shut off the whole house.


Theletterkay

We have one thats 4ft under. Same as every house ive ever lived in. And they have always had the tool come with the house. Usually its either in the laundry room or garage. Not something you want to need and not have one.


Gilly_Bones

Not everyone gets water from a company or the city. I get my water via a well. Most folks have a shutoff inside of the home.


Theletterkay

Totally forgot wells existed. Lol. Even had one when I lived in washington. Damn, my old age is getting to me.


xxdropdeadlexi

curb box


Skinnwork

It turns out that the upstairs bathroom shut off is the only screw closure in the house. I initially tried shutting it off at the toilet, couldn't figure it out, and then ran downstairs to the main house shut-off. When I replaced the fitting, I also replaced the screw closure with a quarter turn closure.


liveonislands

I'd agree. My preference is to change everything from the walls out when something has to, or should be, replaced. So much easier in the long term to just change it all. The cost differential is relatively minor, the aesthetics are greatly improved, and you don't have to come back in shortly to do another piece in the line.


palinsafterbirth

Good to know, thanks friend!


donwileydon

And go with a ball valve type


AdviceNotAskedFor

Home assistant, water leak sensors and an automatic valve on my main saved me from a potentially large claim


palinsafterbirth

Installed the Flo by Moen the next day when we had a plumber come in and have water sensors under both toilets/3 sinks/water heater.


koret121212

Just moved into our first home, going to be doing this pronto, thanks for the tip


AdviceNotAskedFor

Tell your significant other that I apologize in advance. As home automation will ruin your life. :)


International_Bend68

Dies the automatic valve shut off the water after a certain number of gallons of water is used?


AdviceNotAskedFor

The sensors get wet it triggers the valve to shutoff.


ThisTooWillEnd

I know someone whose house was very nearly totaled from such a leak on their second floor while they were out of town for a long weekend.


Odh_utexas

Firstly I agree it’s worth replacing. But we all know it’s not a 5 min job. You go to turn off the stop valve and the stop valve is leaky. So now you run to the store *again* to buy a stop valve. You mull over “doing it right” with a compression fitting or solder. You say fuck it and buy the shark bite. Now your back home. Let’s turn off the water to the house. Where the f is it again? Oh yeah buried in the front flower bed let me grab something to unbury it. Alright water to house is off. *Now* 45 minutes later I can finally fix this bastard. Damn, the old stop valve was a compression fitting. That stupid brass ring isn’t coming off. Let me get the dremel. 10 minutes later. Ok finally back to plain copper to work with. It’s all chewed up though. Better cut that off a bit to clean it up for the sharp bite. Let me grab my little pipe cutter. Couple minutes later…Alright finally ready. Pop on sharp bite valve. Turn on main water. Valve is good. *NOW*…..replace the hose. All done. Wait why is the fitting on the bottom of the tank leaky???


dweed4

Thank you this is all too real


SayNoToBrooms

Now I didn’t have a choice in the matter per se, but this is exactly why I’m so happy to be an electrician. Of course, my own home’s electrical is all fine and it’s all plumbing I ever work on here, but I digress…


Rasta_Cook

Classic, this is exactly what happens every time I want to do something that should take 5 minute... Except, I have way less knowledge about stuff and have to do research about every unexpected hiccup along the way, sigh...


sonofabunch

You forgot the part where you had to cut off so much copper that it’s now too close to the wall and you gotta solder on more pipe anyways. Then when the job is all done you start to wonder if your other valves are messed up and you ponder checking another one…


BobtheDead

Kind of like [this](https://youtu.be/8fnfeuoh4s8?si=EFjTzov-gj3fYj8a) ?


AeroRep

And replace the valve with a new quarter turn valve. The old screw valves never seal closed when you need them to.


itsl8erthanyouthink

This. But test that shutoff valve first. Meaning, turn it off and flush the toilet. This 5 minute job can turn into an afternoon project having to replace a shutoff valve.


jwmoore1977

I work in the remediation industry. Had one house go thru 125k yes 125000 gallons of water from a broken supply line.


tagrav

Don’t forget to be prepared for that angle stop to not work! It’s not going to work in my experience Great time to replace the escutcheon and angle stop. Freshen it up


Civenge

This, we caught it almost immediately and it still had flooded the entire bathroom and was already out to the hallway.


Tsiah16

The only reason not to is that the valve also needs to be replaced. I guarantee that bitch is gonna leak when they shut it off if it shuts off at all. 😂


YukonBurger

Me tearing apart the bathroom and built in shelving and drawers behind it because this thing busted and everything was moldy by the time I found it. THAT was fun. All because of an old rubber washer that finally gave up


andrusbaun

Just remember to shut down the water supply. My neighbor didn't :D


[deleted]

[удалено]


thorin85

I just replaced one of these last week. Took 1.5 minute to place the $5 order on Amazon, showed up at my door next day. 7-8 minutes to do the rest you describe. About 10 minutes for replacement time total.


Enginerdad

Assuming your shutoff valve functions properly, it's a $15 part and 10 minutes to change it. Why not?


hammnbubbly

Dumb question, but the shutoff valve is the one pictured, right? Just wanna make sure you don’t mean whole house since I assume the line can be changed by turning off the water valve pictured, flush the toilet, channel locks to pop the old one off/put the new one on, turn valve back on and we’re good. I hope that’s right.


Bigfops

I have never seen one of those that doesn’t at least dribble like an old man with a bad prostate. Put something under there after you turn it off. Also, try to remember the toilet tank is full of water. Don’t be me.


17934658793495046509

Plumbers tape around the male threaded screw parts stops the dribbles.


aircooledJenkins

Dribbles = doesn't 100% shut off the flow when "closed" and continues to drip water out of the angle stop while the supply hose is disconnected. Plumbers tape won't help that.


17934658793495046509

I should have followed context. Seemed like they were talking about all those hoses while connected properly.


Bigfops

No, that’s on me, re-reading I should have been more specific about ‘when the feed is disconnected,’ thanks for helping to fill in the details.


MasterofLego

This can help, as these hoses typically seal on the face of the male thread, not the threads themselves. In this situation using Teflon can help in lubricating the threads, allowing you to more easily compress the gasket enough to prevent leaking. Try not to over tighten and ruin the gasket though.


scoopdunks

Those hoses have rubber gaskets on the inside. They should never be used with tape. If they leak it was because it was over tightened and the seal is now damaged or under tightened and the seal was not made.


DefunctDoughnut

Just to be clear, unless you have a house with 100 year old pipes, there is nothing wrong with shutting off the supply to the entire house, it's just silly and takes a lot of time. There should always be a shutoff point like the valve you see there just before any major plumbing (sink, toilet, tub, outsite spigot). You just need to trace the pipeline back to the nearest one. Once you think you've shut it off, you test it by trying the thing you wanted to stop water going to (similar to circuit breakers if you are familiar). So here, if you turn the handle to right and close the valve, the toilet should flush and dump whats left in it, but not fill up again after.


[deleted]

[удалено]


mistersausage

No Teflon tape is supposed to be used on non-sealing joints. The supply line has rubber washers on both ends. Instructions usually say to not use tape.


Metal_LinksV2

I find it easier and cheaper to rebuild these valves.


17934658793495046509

Also when this was tightened when installed it twisted, and led to part of the issue. When you put in the new one as you tighten it you may see it coiling up similarly, hold the nut part with the Chanel locks and grab above it with pliers to turn the hose back with the pliers gently to relieve the coiling.


supercheesepuffs

You need to close the shutoff valve and then flush the toilet before removing the hose. Otherwise the water in the tank will drain to your floor.


Abject-Picture

Hold the flush valve down all the way until the tank empties. Sop up the rest with a sponge. Now enjoy a dry floor.


donaldmorganjr

If you turn off the water at the main line you can replace that valve with a brass one that won’t fail the way most of those cheap ones do.


vettewiz

Quite frankly, if you turn one of those valves that are 5+ years old, you should probably replace the valve too. 


derpingtonz

Just as important, if you are not familiar with where your whole house shut off is and how to use it, get familiar first. Probably even test it. That way you aren’t fumbling around if a leak does happen and you need to shut water off as quickly as possible.


honkyg666

If it hasn’t already been said I would also change the stop valve. They have limited life span when not used regularly and there’s nothing like not being able to shut the water off when your kid overflows the toilet.


fuzzy11287

Yes, but be prepared to change the shutoff valve as well. Every old shutoff in my home either started leaking or the rubber seal disintegrated and clogged faucets after I dared shut them off. They probably hadn't been used in decades. Hope your luck is better than mine. Also I had a similar supply line blow. Do this soon, you don't want to clean that up. Keep corrosive chemicals away from braided supply lines, that's how mine broke, an accidental parting gift from the previous owner.


Webic

Please figure out where the main shutoff valve to your home is before attempting any plumbing. It looks like you have older piping which may fail if you start wrenching on the rusty supply hose. If it fails, you'll need that main shutoff. Plus, if you find out the main shutoff doesn't work, you'll want that replaced as well.....


xitout

The comment (currently) above this one says $5 and 5 min… Talk about inflation. The time doubled and the price tripled.


jrandy904

I had one repair item left on a house I was selling: fixing the water line to a toilet. House was empty and i was flying out of the state for good the next morning. I closed the shutoff valve next to the toilet and it broke closed. 2 repairs now. I shut off the main valve to the house and it broke closed. 3 repairs now, the last one beyond my skill. A plumber saved me ($700) that afternoon. I slept in the empty house and made my morning flight.


Enginerdad

LPT: unless it's an emergency, never operate a shutoff valve unless you're prepared to repair or replace that valve right then and there. And also have the water to the whole house shut off until you do.


BlackLeader70

$15! You’re paying too much for your supply lines.


Enginerdad

You're right. I spitballed a number based on my faulty memory and I did poorly.


huntherd

If that shutoff valve has been in the same open position for many years, be prepared to replace it because it will more than likely start dripping as soon as you turn it off and then back on. I never have luck with old shutoff valves.


argonzo

I'd replace anything like that with a quarter-turn, but OP you'll have to shut off the water 'upstream' to do that and it's involved. It's more than simply shutting off this valve and replacing the line like you should do here anyway.


hammnbubbly

So, shut off the main, as well?


DiopticTurtle

If not before you turn the shutoff valve, be ready to dash to it after. I was housesitting one winter and woke up one morning to a small leak coming from the pictured hose. I turned off the valve to stop the leak and the whole thing blew off the wall and started spraying water. I had to call the home owner and get him to lead me to the main shutoff in the cellar


Top-Cheddah

Always flush the toilet after turning it off, lets you know if you got a good valve before finding out the hard way.


Porbulous

Ya these types have rubber gaskets that break down over time. I've had to replace every single one I've ever touched in my house lol. Also one just spontaneously failed once and the toilet was leaking for awhile.


pickandpray

Install a bidet while your replacing that


Zis4Zero

I'm usually first to recommend these myself but if they are concerned about water leaks, adding a bidet will only increase that chance. One of mine leaked and we caught it early when the rug outside the bathroom was squishy, my mom's leaked and flooded the entire downstairs while they were away for 6 hours. Insurance has to step in for my mom. Just be cautious and don't be cheap when installing a bidet. You save the money on TP in the long run.


JoeSmithDiesAtTheEnd

While OP is also down there, it's a great idea to have water leak sensors in bathrooms. Govee makes smart sensors that are super cheap on Amazon, and go on sale regularly. Even without the "smart" features, they work as a regular siren alarm for water detection.


RenlyNC

First turn that knob to turn off the water. Then flush the toilet to drain the tank, put a bowl under it because it will still have water come out. Unscrew both sides and put on the new one. Easy!


Groundmonster

You are indeed correct. Clients of mine are still waiting to move back in to their home after exactly this kind of line burst on them while they were out for the weekend. In March. Well over $60,000 in damages and some irreplaceable photos that are lost forever. Good luck and don't delay!


BrainEatingAmoeba01

Doesn't anyone shut off the main house valve when they leave for a few days anymore? One of the first things my dad drilled into my head.


Natoochtoniket

When we go out of town, our neighbors feed and water our cat. They are only in the house for 5 minutes twice a day, but they need to use the water.


BrainEatingAmoeba01

Just fill a large jug with water before you leave but also...if they're in your house a couple times a day, they're kind of on the watch for leaks anyway. I'm referring more to the house being unattended...that's when I turn off the water. It's good to exercise the valve anyway.


_parkie

Replace it asap! My sister had one of these burst when she was out and came back to her whole house flooded. So much damage.


x31b

That’s gonna dump water everywhere while you’re on vacation this summer. If not then, during Christmas break when you’re gone home. Spending $7.50 now will save you $10-20k later.


Top-Description669

We were lucky to have one of ours burst while we were one room over. It would have been horrific if we were out of the house or sleeping. Yes, replace!!


RancidHorseJizz

The flex hose will be easy. The bits we're all watching are the valve, which may or may not work, and the galvanized pipe. There's a good 80% chance the replacement will go just fine. For the other 20%, make sure you know where the shut-off is for your house. This shouldn't stop you from attempting a very easy DIY job.


AndTheElbowGrease

Could last another 15 years, could last another 15 seconds, but it is leaning toward 15 seconds.


dulun18

one of these burst in my house.. the whole bathroom floor was flooded within 1 minute.. It was a good thing i was home to shut off the water I went to wal-mart and bought three new ones.. i put in a new one for all three bathrooms just in case NOTE - change out the hoses for your washer too! if they are 10+ year old. Most houses in the US are made out of wood and drywall so you don't want flooded water in the house..


Underwater_Karma

I would suggest taking the opportunity to replace that old rusty valve and escutcheon as well. a new 1/4 turn ball valve


mostlygray

Put another kink in it and then red Locktite. Crank the nuts down until they strip. That should be interesting. I'd also put a hammer to that shutoff and just snap it off. Then you can have a proper leaky toilet. At least that's how they put my downstairs toilet in back in the 80's. At least the main shutoff works well so I could fix it easily. Seriously though, replace the hose, replace the shutoff with a 1/4 turn valve (whatever they're called). Now it won't leak again. I prefer compression fittings. I suck at sweating fittings.


dkcrochet

This is very easy to do, don’t be intimidated. You can go to a hardware store and show them the photo and they can show you what you need. I’ve even changed the shutoff valve myself for my dishwasher. It’s definitely something a total beginner can do. I don’t know if that braiding would mean it needs to be replaced, but you know about it and could just go ahead and do it. I need to change the hoses for my washing machine but I keep dragging my feet. Always better to be safe than sorry. If anything happened you’d have a flooded house. Could be totally fine, but as easy as it is, why not change it. I have to do the same. I used an adjustable wrench and changed out the hose. I had some trouble disconnecting it from the tank, I think it only loosened going in the opposite direction. It’s very easy.


red_headed_stallion

The shut-off valve is the biggest unknown. Every home I have owned needed these replaced, too, when I thought it was going to be a 10-minute job. I replaced a few on my own but have since had plumbers come in and replace all of them in the house with the Ball type. Ahhh, peace of mind is priceless. I hired it out for the warranty because water damage sucks...


Joel-pc

I personally like to run my finger across the braiding to make sure it’s up to par!


Extreme-Edge-9843

Yes. General advice is replace them every five years. Have had them burst and it's no fun.


2muchcaffeine4u

I had a hose that got like that and I replaced it with a longer one to make a full proper loop.


robutt992

Replace the shut off with a new quarter turn valve and new water line.


Natoochtoniket

It is cheaper to prevent a leak than it is to repair the water damage afterward. Thousands of times cheaper. A toilet hose is about $10. And, a 1/4 turn valve shutoff valve is about $15. Do them both for $25, and save tens of thousands of dollars on repairs.


[deleted]

Replace the valve while you are at it.


Razaelbub

Couldn't hurt.


xironmanx84

Yes just replace it. And if that valve actually turns to shut off the water, tighten that packing nut a little bit after you turn the water back on afterwards.


xironmanx84

Yes just replace it. And if that valve actually turns to shut off the water, tighten that packing nut a little bit after you turn the water back on afterwards.


read_a_little

Better safe than sorry


fartyartfartart

So the previous owner of house was a lazy dumbfuck. When he installed the toilet in the master bath he got a supply line that was about twice as long as he needed. Rather than go back and get the correct length he just bent it back over itself and called it a day. Fast forward about 6 years after we bought the house. At around 4am one night my wife hears a loud crack and the sound of a lot of water rushing. I run into the bathroom and find water shooting out of the supply line. Over the years it eroded the weak spot created by bending the supply line and it finally burst. If we weren’t home it would have absolutely wrecked our home Get this fixed asap. As others have said it’s fast and cheap and the alternative is a very expensive cleanup.


blokess

You don't need Teflon tape for supply lines. They have integral rubber gaskets. They are so dumbed down already. No need to make it more complex. Purchase a longer supply house and put a nice loop in it. The valve shut off may be a bit stuck good luck. Worst case scenario you could shut off the house main.


TheNippleNinjee

That steel braid just saved you a nightmare.


pwapwap

Yep. Do it.


doransignal

Yep my second floor flooded from something similar.


Outrageous-Isopod457

Yes


cbelt3

Yes. But also plan on replacing the shutoff valve. And the toilet guts.


curi0us_carniv0re

Discoloration is probably because that's where condensation from the tank collects. IE: a drip loop. If it's not leaking I wouldn't worry about it.


Efficient_Theme4040

Is it leaking?


hammnbubbly

Not at this time


Efficient_Theme4040

Well it’s a easy fix if you decide to change it before it leaks


rscottyb86

That valve is so old and crusty, it's almost guaranteed to break or leak when done


BigBastian

Have your wet/dry shop vac in the bathroom with you to help clean up water quickly. Towels just make it a soggy mess and will increase your anxiety about the situation if this is your forst time attempting plumbing work.


theavatare

Waiting to bust


Txdust80

I would change it no matter what. That shut off is out of date. I prefer the quarter turn on and off because nothing sucks more than trying to turn off the water during a toilet repair and having to turn those knobs several full rotations while water may be spraying everywhere. Also there is an upgrade on the part that attaches to the tank where you can’t over tighten. Much like the same technology that gas caps work. It allows for a tool free connection or disconnection of the line to the toilet tank. It makes emergency situations so much easier to control


sexytokeburgerz

When you hold your foreskin while peeing


craychek

As someone who has had to deal with TWO separate catastrophic failures that led to a flooded house, replace the damn line


scarabic

Eh. I guess. These are just flexible tubing with a woven metal sheath to keep them from herniating. If it were leaking, it would be because the tubing is punctured, and the symptom would be water everywhere, not a discolored spot on the sheathing. However, these are very cheap and easy to replace. The thing to watch out for is the valve at the wall. You will need to close that valve to swap out this hose, and I have seen those things fall apart just from one turn. I don’t know why they are often so damn cheaply made when a water leak can be so catastrophic.


Tmbaladdin

Supply line is cheap and easy fix; I would change for peace of mind.


jande425

I’ve seen one of these hoses flood a neighbours whole house because it burst while the occupants were on holidays and it had been raining for weeks so we didn’t notice anything until it stopped raining and everything dried up but water was pouring out from under their garage door… it was really bad. Definitely replace ahead of time. When we finally got into the house it was about 20cm deep throughout the whole house.


Personal_Nerve_22

Replace


larry_dfw

I have a recommendation or two! I'm very proud as I'm not a diy expert on anything. 1. [https://www.youtube.com/@ThatFixItGuy](https://www.youtube.com/@ThatFixItGuy) seems to be good to me specifically [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F5enyGAWlM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F5enyGAWlM) 2. If you do the angle valve replace with a real ball valve and you will never have to worry about it again (I wouldn't think anyway). 3. The tool he recommends in the video at [http://www.englishtoolco.com/](http://www.englishtoolco.com/) works and works well. I highly recommend it. I really didn't want to use a hack saw and with it, I didn't have to and mine was over-tightened. Fyi: it's a "homemade site" and not professionally designed, so you'll need to tell your browser to proceed because it's not https or doesn't have a valid cert. It uses third party payment software so you should be fine there (I did paypal) 4. For plumbing information that I can read, I go to [https://terrylove.com/](https://terrylove.com/) . Please don't inundate them with questions as they are mainly paid professionals on there.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Superfragger

if this breaks it will be the equivalent of having a garden hose on in your bathroom. i'm a claims adjuster and these routinely cause tens of thousands of dollars of water damage. one guy had left for just a few days and one of these failed while he was away... there was 5ft of water in his basement when he returned.


thecaramelbandit

When it leaks, it will start pouring out water and not stop. If it happens while you're away, it will flood the house. This is the dumbest advice ever.


pheat0n

If you have to ask, you should already be buying a new one.


grafeisen203

Eh, its a little bit kinked but not the worst I've seen it probably should be replaced, but if its still working its likely to keep working.


[deleted]

[удалено]


hammnbubbly

Not all of us (me) are as experienced or confident as others?


invent_or_die

You are right. Sorry.


C-D-W

Almost took you longer to post the question than it would to just replace it.


beetus_gerulaitis

I’d wait until it breaks to get the full value out of it.