Shut Off Water Valves Condo Need Professional Help!

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Hey guys,

Kinda in a pickle here and I'm by no means a handy guy which is probably why I'm struggling with this.

Live in a condo and my bath tub faucet/shower decides to not be able to close (think the threads on the faucet may be loose or something), anyway not sure what the issue is but the shower is running full blast and has been for an hour now.

Drain was kinda plugged and it was getting hairy there for a minute but I de-clogged it enough that so it's draining properly now.

Anyway I read up on my condo's website that the shut-off valves are in a panel in the ceiling of my coat room but they are very tough access, and they were not joking.

I took the panel off and with the size of the panel and the one stool that I have for accessing, I can only see one valve and I'm having issues shutting even that one off, let alone seeing both the cold and the hot valves.

At any rate, wondering if anyone on CP knows of a handyman that I can call in this sorta emergency to help me get the shut-off valves closed (if they can help me with the bath tub faucet after the fact too, then that's a bonus)?

Obviously the less expensive they are the better, lemme know CP, thanks!

[flamesrule_kipper34]

I'm right beside the Saddledome, in Victoria Park (by the station).

[normtwofinger]

Are you in Vetro, Sasso or Nuera?

[surferguy]

can you get a photo of the shut off valve? I was just in your neck of the woods. Bugger!

[Ace]

Go into the parkade and start randomly shutting off valves...eventually one will do the trick

[REDVAN]

Take this opportunity to have a bath.

[DuffMan]

I think you need a faucet diverter

[onetwo_threefour]

If you can't get at the valve try using a flat bladed screwdriver to pop the cover off the faucet handles (assuming you have a separate hot and cold faucet and they are just rotating handles) Behind the cover should be a screw and you should be able to tighten it down enough to turn off the water if the faucet handles are just spinning on the spindles. Either that or take the screws out, pull the faucet handles off and use a pair of pliers or a wrench to turn the faucets off.

If you have a single handle, there may be a screw behind the handle or a set screw on the side, but usually the set screw requires an allan key to loosen. The poiont is, if you can get the handle(s) off you should be able to manually turn the water off.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by fotze

What area do you live?

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

Are you in Vetro, Sasso or Nuera?

I'm in Vetro.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by surferguy

can you get a photo of the shut off valve? I was just in your neck of the woods. Bugger!

Will post them in a sec here, just took a few pics...thanks guys appreciate the help so far!

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

If you can't get at the valve try using a flat bladed screwdriver to pop the cover off the faucet handles (assuming you have a separate hot and cold faucet and they are just rotating handles) Behind the cover should be a screw and you should be able to tighten it down enough to turn off the water if the faucet handles are just spinning on the spindles. Either that or take the screws out, pull the faucet handles off and use a pair of pliers or a wrench to turn the faucets off.

If you have a single handle, there may be a screw behind the handle or a set screw on the side, but usually the set screw requires an allan key to loosen. The poiont is, if you can get the handle(s) off you should be able to manually turn the water off.

So an update,

After pushing in the wrong direction at the valves (yes found both), I pulled them down and got them as close to a 90 degree angle as possible.

So I thought that would do the trick, it's helped but it doesn't seem like the water is shut off completely yet...any ideas?

I'll attach pics of the valve, but basically as I mentioned I got the valves to as close to as 90 degrees as possible in terms of pulling the lever down. The water flow has considerably lessened, however there is still water coming out of the shower, and if I try running the kitchen or bathroom taps they still work too. Seems like the hot water comes out moreso than when it's on the cold setting, so maybe it's the hot water pipe that hasn't closed fully?

Any ideas here on how to close it fully, really at my wits end here tried really hard to pull it down as much as possible at this point I feel like anymore pulling and it's just bending the lever handle itself.

Also I swear depending on if I'm on the hot water/cold water setting on my taps I hear hissing coming from one of the pipes above now that I've shut off the valves, what could that be?

Is this a timing thing, I don't think so because it's been 20-30 minutes now and the water is still running even though at a lesser pace.

Any help would be appreciated guys, thanks!

As an aside, I'm running all my taps now to lessen the water coming from the bathroom faucet...

[Sliver]

Dude, it's Friday before a long weekend. I'd call a plumber like right now and have him come out if you plan on having a functioning shower at any point over the next three or four days.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Also I see condensation/water dripping from the AC vents in the ceiling...that can't be good?

[flamesrule_kipper34]

[psyang]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

So an update,

After pushing in the wrong direction at the valves (yes found both), I pulled them down and got them as close to a 90 degree angle as possible.

Instead of moving them as close to 90 degrees, try moving them as far as they will go. These valves generally stop in the fully open or fully closed position (ie. the handles won't keep turning 360 degrees).

The hissing might just be because the valve is not completely closed.

Condensation might just be because your house is probably really humid right now.

Good luck!

[surferguy]

like others have said. try back and forth. Keep your other taps open to see if you can bleed the lines.

Could be condensation - the hissing could be a pinhole leak. you have approx 30 mins to make the call on if you are going to contact a plumber.

Like Silver said. Don't pinch yourself into an after hours call.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Anybody have any decent plumbers to recommend?

I've tried all of the above, called my mgmt company and she gave me a couple of plumbers to call but warned me they may be quite expensive.

Anyway, thanks again all.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Update:

Called "Need A Plumber Canada", they'll be here within 2 hours. Their initial assessment fee is $37, and then they'll look at the shut-off valve issue and my faucet issue and give me quotes on what the pricing would be to fix either and/or both. At that point I make my decision as to whether or not I want to go through with the repairs.

I dunno, seems reasonable. Most assessment fees I saw were $50 plus...we'll see what it's like when they get here.

Appreciate everyone's advice.

[photon]

Have to remember those guys, last plumber I called had an $80 assessment fee, and even though I confirmed with the dispatch that the $80 fee would be rolled into the total repair if I opted to do the repair, that wasn't the case when the guy showed up.

Then they wanted $250 to replace a 1 inch section of pipe. Crazy.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

Update:Called "Need A Plumber Canada", they'll be here within 2 hours.

Might be a bit late to this and I dunno if you have the time but it might be worth it to run out and get yourself a new Shower/bath faucet in case the one you have needs replacing. They're pretty standard.

If for whatever reason you don't need it then just return it later, if you need a new one then might as well get it done at the one call out. They're a quick install.

Just a suggestion.

Having said that and you don't want a new faucet etc, the parts are guaranteed for life so if you go to your local home depot with the old one they should replace it for free.