Can You Change A Faucet Without Turning Off the Water?

Keeping your faucet working is an integral part of ensuring that your bathroom meets the needs of your household. Sometimes you can do this without replacing the faucet. However, other times there’s no other option but to swap out your old faucet with a new one.

When this happens, the general rule is that you need to turn off your home’s water supply before tackling the project. However, that’s not always possible. If you need to change a faucet without turning off the water, then continue reading to learn how.

Although it’s not advised, you technically can replace a faucet without turning off your water. To do so, you need to turn on faucets elsewhere in your house to reduce the amount of water pressure going to the faucet you want to replace. After that, the replacement process is very similar to what you would do if the water was shut off, you’ll just want to work at a faster pace than normal.

You may need to swap out your faucet in a few different scenarios. For example, faucets have a lifespan of about 15-20 years. If you’ve had yours for longer than that, then it’s time to change it out for a new one instead of trying to repair it again.

Similarly, you may need to replace your faucet if yours constantly needs repairs. You don’t want to have to spend every weekend repairing a faulty faucet. In addition to wasting your time, this is a process that can also add up to cost you more than what you would pay to simply replace the faucet entirely.

You may also want to change out an old faucet to replace it with a more efficient model. Studies have found that old faucets can waste anywhere from 3-5 gallons of water per minute. That means you might be able to cut down on your utility costs significantly by installing a newer model that operates more efficiently.

The answer to this question is very simple, and likely one that you already understand if you’ve ever tried replacing a faucet previously. Essentially, if you don’t turn off the water, then you’re going to have water spraying out of the faucet area while you attempt to uninstall and change it. This means that you’re going to be left with a massive amount of water all over your bathroom.

Shutting your water off fixes this problem. It prevents water from flowing into your faucet from your home’s main supply lines during the installation process. That’s why every guide that you’ll encounter will recommend that you take this step.

If you are able to turn off your water, then it’s absolutely a step that’s worth taking before you begin swapping out your faucet. To do this, you need to locate your home’s main water line and turn it off.

The actual process of shutting off the water is very straightforward. Generally, all that you’ll have to do is twist a knob or pull a lever and the water will stop flowing into your home. For many homeowners, the most difficult part of this process is actually locating where their home’s main water valve is.

There are a few different locations that you can check. Generally, a home’s main water valve is located on the interior of the home. It’s also typically on the perimeter of the house near where it faces the street.

If you’ve looked around your home and still can’t find the water shut off valve, then take a look at your property inspection report. This will often tell you exactly where the valve is located and what you need to do to turn it off.

Finally, if none of these options work, then consider looking outdoors for the streetside shut off valve. This is usually found at the boundary line of a property and should be located under a utility box trap door that’s level with the ground.

Only you can decide whether hiring a plumber is the best way to fix your faucet issues. Usually, faucets are easy enough to replace without a professional’s help. However, that can change if you’re unable or unwilling to shut off the water supply to your home.

As described above, you can still complete this process on your own. However, it can be a tricky project and one that you may just not want to deal with. In that case, hiring a plumber to do the work for you could be a better option.

It’s also worth noting that a plumber may be able to figure out another way to shut off your home’s water supply. There might be a method or a valve that you’re not aware of. If a plumber is able to find this, then they could complete the process of replacing your old faucet in a much more efficient way than you would be able to do on your own.

Maybe you know that you need to replace your old faucet but aren’t sure yet what you’d like to replace it with. Consumers today have many options to choose from, each of which can be a good fit for your needs. Consider these factors while you shop.

More isn’t always better. Spending extra on a faucet is a good idea if you want something that will last. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the more you spend the better your faucet will be. Instead, spending between $60 and $100 is generally enough to get everything you need.

Choose your finish wisely. Some types of finishes are stronger than others. For example, chrome is the most durable finish and the easiest to keep clean. Bronze is a bit more stylish but can be easily chipped or scratched.

Single handle faucets are more convenient. It’s much easier to adjust the water temperature with a single handle faucet. Additionally, they give you one less handle that you need to worry about cleaning.

Looks aren’t everything. Many homeowners choose their faucets primarily based on the way they look. However, this isn’t always the best idea. Instead, you should prioritize finding a faucet that fits your functional needs. After those needs are met, then you can begin differentiating faucets based on their appearances.

Related Questions

How much do new faucets cost?

Faucets can range in price considerably. However, you should expect to spend about $65 for a bathroom faucet and $100 for a kitchen faucet. Anything more than that is unnecessary unless you want specific features.

What is a shutoff valve?

In this context, a shutoff valve is something that you can turn on or off as needed to regulate the flow of water into your home. Generally, you only need to turn a shutoff valve off if you’re performing plumbing repairs or you’ll be out of town for a while.