Replacing an angle valve without flooding your kitchen
A familiar scene under the sink?
The angle valve under the sink is corroded stuck, leaks when you turn it, or is simply worn out. Replacing it yourself is a simple job — but most "kitchen water damage" stories start with exactly this kind of task, from following the wrong order.
What exactly is an angle valve?
The small valve between the main water line and your tap or dishwasher, letting you shut off water locally without draining the whole house. Essential for maintenance, but subject to wear and limescale itself.
What you'll need
- New angle valve (same size and thread type as the old one)
- Pipe wrench
- Teflon tape or hemp for the connection
- Bucket and cloth
Step by step
- First shut off the home's main water valve — not just the angle valve itself, since that's exactly what you're replacing.
- Open the tap above it to release pressure from the pipe and catch remaining water in a bucket.
- Loosen the old angle valve with the pipe wrench. Keep a cloth ready for residual water.
- Wrap Teflon tape around the thread of the new valve and hand-tighten it, then a quarter turn extra with the wrench.
- Reconnect the water supply hose to the new angle valve.
- Slowly open the main valve and check all connections for leaks before proceeding.
The most common mistake
Only closing the angle valve itself instead of the main valve — logical, since you're about to replace it. But a worn angle valve often no longer shuts off completely, and you only discover that once water sprays out anyway.
Done? Here's your next step
Find angle valves in the right size in our webshop. Not sure about the size or thread type? Send a photo of the old valve, so you're certain before you start.
