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?
Lv 7
? asked in Home & GardenDo It Yourself (DIY) · 8 years ago

Is partly closing a valve bad?

The water supply to my washing machine has a standard-looking water valve. When the washer fills, it drops the pressure too much in the shower. If I turn the valve partly closed so that the machine fills more slowly, everything works well.

Is that OK? Will leaving a valve partly closed cause it to erode in some way that is bad? Thanks.

It is a standard-looking valve, just like the kind you see on a million outdoor hose faucets.

10 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favourite answer

    Should be no problem at all. Over time, the 'rubber' washer used to create a seal in that type of valve will deteriorate (regardless of how far open you keep it), and one day you won't be able to shut of the water properly to service the machine.

    If that happens, you'll need to shut off the main supply, open the valve, replace the washer (only need a screwdriver to do it) the re-open the mains.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    I used to have the same problem. The solution was to replace the half inch copper with three quarter inch PEX. Someone before me ran half inch from the main valve all throughout the house. That meant if someone was showering - nobody else was allowed to touch any other water. Otherwise the person in the shower got an unpleasant blast of hot or cold water.

    By increasing the size of the pipes the supply was sufficient to carry a shower and another sink or toilet without affecting the temperature at the shower.

    Now to address your question directly: Valves are meant to be open or closed. Certain types of valves are meant to be metering valves, like the shower valve or the valves on the sink. A valve on the washer is meant to be open or closed, not half way. Yeah, you CAN screw it half way down and restrict the water flow but now you're subjecting the rubber gasket to potential vibration, which will soon start making noise throughout the house every time water runs. It's not a serious problem but it IS as annoying as all get-go.

    Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not a good idea, but if you do you won't cause any volcanoes to erupt, or California to fall into the ocean. In short, no catastrophic results. But you may be fixing or replacing that valve sooner than you should have to.

    The choice is yours.

    Hope this helps.

    'av'a g'day mate.

    '')

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    You seriously have no life FRANK seems like all you do is be on yahoo answering questions with ignorance no advice what so ever just to get points who does that, you must be a lonely person with no one who loves you since all you do is spend your time on the computer trying to bring others down then you want to report comments like the little ***** you are lucky for you this is the internet since you seem like one of those people who walks around with their head down whispering to themselves because they don't have the guts to say what they think out loud if they were face to face with you and NO this is not a threat or harassment since you seem the type to try to take this to the highest degree of "punishment" this is simply freedom of speech and publication and exposing you to everyone who reads this before you go and complain to yahoo for them to take this down lmao. Get a life this is supposed to be a safe place for people to use their freedom of speech to post questions and get answers without criticism from dumb asses like yourself.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    It won't necesarily cause a problem, but it is not a true fix. I'd say that if turning the valve helps, do it. Just realize that it is more likely to leak if down the road it you turn it off or all the way on. But, most faucets are cheap and easy to replace.

    The reason your shower loses pressure is due to poor pressure from the water company or a restriction in your lines. It would take a knowledgeable person to pin point the issue, and the fix could be simple of complex.

    I'd say that if turning the valve helps, do it. Just realize that it is more likely to leak if down the road it you turn it off or all the way on. But, most faucets are cheap and easy to replace.

  • 8 years ago

    You could have restrictions in your pipes based on your low flow.

    Faucet's washer could be repaired/replaced but doubt that's the problem.

    Have enough water pressure coming into the house? Hopefully you have a pressure regulator installed at the water entrance to your house or dwelling. And putting a pressure gauge on the hose bib that is installed after the pressure regulator you can check the pressure.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    Most valves are made to be adjusted as you mentioned.

    I think that you are just fine doing that!

    Source(s): 75 yrs on the planet
  • Full
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    The only problem i know of is when you attempt to close it completely at a later date.

    There is a rubber washer that can decompose and i shut off the main to my house when i bought my last washer.

    Source(s): I think, therefore i am.
  • Jim W
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    Easy solution is to wait for the washer to load before you shower or wait to do the laundry.

  • Anonymous
    7 years ago

    I think you should talk to your doctor about how attatched you are to your washing machine.

  • Wombat
    Lv 4
    8 years ago

    should be fine

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