Cannot shut off hot water from heater

NaveenM

Hi all!

First off, I'm very much a newb to DIY home repair. So...

I need to adjust the temperature valves for my showers. I've read that I need to shut the water off to do this.

In my basement, coming out of the water heater, is a pipe which carries the water upstairs. It has a valve (not a ball valve, the ordinary "twist" kind). I turn this all the way clockwise until it seems to be as far in as it can go...but it doesn't seem to turn the hot water off. Hot water still comes to the sink and shower upstairs.

I unscrewed and re-screwed to make sure I was letting loose any build up, but it seems to be the same.

These are old pipes (old house). Any clues on how I can shut the water off?

BTW - there is one other pipe and valve coming out of the heater. This one goes to the first floor, to the kitchen and a 2nd bathroom. The same problem exists there as well. I turn the knob closed...but the hot water remains, even after running for some time.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Naveen

TheEplumber

I don't think you need to turn the water off to adjust water temp at the shower. Should be able to remove the handle and adjust the stop setting.
Can you give us a picture of the wh valves?

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Ishmael

You need to find the main shut off valve, not those at the water heater. the main valve is typically just downstream from the water meter (if you're on town/municipal water), or the first valve in line after the well tank (if you have a private well).

What kind of shower valve is it? Moen? Kohler? Symmons? Delta? Most can be adjusted without shutting the water off.

But if you have to:

After you shut the main valve off, open a faucet (both hot and cold) on any fixture below the shower valve you're trying to work on to relieve the pressure. Then open (i.e. - turn on) the shower valve before you start taking it apart.

NiNe O

NiNe O

Could be back feeding.

NaveenM

Figured it out. Thanks guys!

Yes, I did not need to turn the water off. Had to remove the knob (not a "handle" per se) to get to the valve, then adjust the setting.

Took me a while to figure out how to adjust it, mostly because I was trying to move the wrong piece. (What actually helped was taking the photos to post on here as TheEplumber suggested, and in looking at the photos, realizing what needed to be done!)

And to think, I was about to call a plumber to help me...

Thanks again!