Could I change my main water valve without a plumber? (NYC)

[Jeff Handy]

voletl is right, closing those blue handle valves should shut off the water.

Unless your sink gets water from the line that seems to go back down into the concrete.

Meanwhile, that will not fix your problem with low water pressure, if the low pressure is caused by a broken main shutoff valve.

And you have created two separate threads on here, which makes it harder to help you.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Stop trying to do any of this work yourself, you have no clue about any of it.

Just get three or four bids to do the work, replacing your main shutoff and fixing the valve under your sink.

End of story.

 

[frodo]

That appears to be a Double check backflow preventer
the 2 blue valves are for servicing and inspection of the valve
which by law, is supposed to happen every year, i do not see a tag on yours

before i believed the valve at the meter can not be closed but by a plumber. i would call the city water department and ask that question.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Looking at your picture again, I can’t tell if your water line has a tee which also goes back down into the concrete floor, or maybe that is just an abandoned pipe.

Your blurry picture needs to be redone, from down closer to the meter, not from such a high angle.

 

[frodo]

 

[skald89]

The AWR sent someone to inspect it. The plumber said since he doesn't see a leak he can't do anything. If it leaks to take a video. I asked about replacing it out of pocket and he said I wouldn't touch it and its best to leave it alone. He said I have a total of 5 shut off valves. Two under the meter and those 2 blue levers are shut off valves. I told him about that the knob turns and turns, he said its fine don't ever touch it. He turned it and tried tightening any bolts around it.

Im still going to have someone look at it from a different company. See what they say and their price. My concern is that since the knob doesn't work we should fix it because that controls the pressure in the house, which right now is so bad when two things turn on at the same time. It was never like this until I touched that blue round knob to fix some shower handles and cartridges. This plumber said nothing should happen and if it ever leaks I have more shut off valves to stop the water...I don't know how that makes sense if this one comes first there is no way to stop it if its leaks or bursts..The pipes are copper and he said they should never have an issue.

 

[TomFOhio]

I can't tell by the picture but is that a threaded valve.??

 

[frodo]

my opinion
If a gate valve will not shut off t he water
and the pressure in the home is weak.
i quote you '' I told him about that the knob turns and turns, ''
Those 3 bits of information lead me to believe the gate has separated from the stem inside the gate valve body
the gate valve should be removed and replaced with a full port ball valve