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Plumbing Q: turning on water first time in 4 years?

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Maverick2002

Diamond Member
Hi,

I'm going to be fixing a toilet (replacing the flushing mechanism) in a bathroom where the water line hasn't been on in almost 4 years.

In the rest of the place the water is on (including the sink in that same bathroom), but it's off for the toilet. Since it's just PVC I assume there's no issue of anything, but are there any precautions I need to take (put anything down the pipes?) before turning the water back on?

TIA
 
Replace the shutoff valve. Thoroughly flush the supply line, since the tiniest crud particles can mess up the new flush valve.
 
know where the shutoff upstream is, not just the one under the shitter. Sometimes when you open an old crusty valve it will leak. Then you try to shut it back off and it decides to start spraying. ahhh fun times
 
PVC is for drain/waste/vent, I believe. I presume you're talking about CPVC. It shouldn't be an issue. Amazing that the trap in the toilet held enough water for 4 years to prevent sewer gasses from backing up into the house; unless, of course, you poured water down the toilet every once in a while.
 
Maverick2002 said:
Hi,

I'm going to be fixing a toilet (replacing the flushing mechanism) in a bathroom where the water line hasn't been on in almost 4 years.

In the rest of the place the water is on (including the sink in that same bathroom), but it's off for the toilet. Since it's just PVC I assume there's no issue of anything, but are there any precautions I need to take (put anything down the pipes?) before turning the water back on?

TIA
Click to expand...

The toilet, the junction to the toilet and the valve are the most likely points for leaks.

Just turn on the water slowly and watch for leaks. Flush the toilet repeatedly to get any impurities out of the water line.
 
Yeah those shutoff valves are often really cheap. That would be the main thing I would be worried about. You shouldn't have any issues with the water line, or the wax seal, or the tank to bowl seal. The flapper could be dried out, but I assume you are replacing the toilet's guts. I would at least put a new flapper valve in, unless the old one really seemed in good condition.
 
bryanl said:
ABS is typically used for drain/waste/vent, but PVC is also used. PVC can also supply cold water, CPVC can supply both cold and hot.
Click to expand...


PVC is good for other things

if-you-know-what-i-mean.png
 
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