Shut off valves help you isolate water flow to specific fixtures for maintenance, repairs or routine appliance hookups. Explore the range of shut off valves at Ace Hardware, from SharkBite, Homewerks and other brands to manage household plumbing lines with ease.
Common Types of Water Shut-Off Valves
Angle and Straight Stop Valves
Angle stop valves feature a 90-degree outlet configuration to direct water from wall stub-outs directly up toward sinks or toilets. Straight stop valves provide an inline design for pipe runs emerging vertically from the floor. These valves connect directly to flexible supply lines and are typically available with quarter-turn or multi-turn handles.
Dual Outlet and Specialty Stop Valves
Dual outlet configurations allow a single water supply line to serve two appliances, such as a toilet and bidet or a sink and refrigerator ice maker. For broader flow isolation across your plumbing system, compare stop valves with full-port ball valves that manage primary water branches. Dedicated washing machine valves, stop and waste valves for seasonal line drainage and gas shut-offs support distinct utility hookups across our wider selection of plumbing valves.
Choosing the Right Connection and Material
Shut off valves utilize various connection methods to match existing copper, PEX, CPVC or iron piping.
- Push-to-connect:Push-fit valves work without flame, solder or glue and pair easily with push fittings for fast repairs across multiple pipe materials.
- PEX barb and crimp:Designed specifically for cross-linked polyethylene tubing, these valves integrate smoothly with standard crimp rings and compatible PEX fittings.
- Compression and threaded:Compression fittings seal securely onto smooth copper pipes using a brass ferrule, while female iron pipe (FIP) threads screw directly onto rigid threaded pipes.
- Valve maintenance components:Minor drips can often be serviced using replacement washers and stems from our selection of valve parts and handles.
Shut-Off Valve Selection Guide
Compare common shut-off valve configurations to find the ideal match for your pipe layout.
| Valve Configuration | Choose If | Inlet-to-Outlet Flow Path |
|---|
| Angle Stop | Water pipes emerge directly from a finished wall | 90-degree perpendicular turn |
| Straight Stop | Water lines run vertically up through flooring | Straight-through inline passage |
| Dual Outlet Stop | Adding a secondary fixture to a single supply line | Single inlet splitting to two outlets |
| Stop and Waste | Draining downstream water lines before freezing winter temperatures | Inline passage with integrated side drain cap |
How Do You Know When to Replace a Shut-Off Valve?
A shut-off valve typically needs replacement if it continues to drip around the stem or fails to stop water flow when turned off. Mineral buildup and degraded internal seals over time can prevent the valve from closing properly. Replacing worn valves helps maintain reliable point-of-use control during future fixture updates and routine plumbing maintenance.
What Is the Difference Between Quarter-Turn and Multi-Turn Valves?
Quarter-turn valves use an internal ball mechanism that opens or closes flow with a simple 90-degree handle rotation. Multi-turn valves rely on a threaded stem and rubber washer that require several full rotations to seat against the valve body. Quarter-turn designs generally offer faster operation and can support longer lasting resistance to internal seal wear.
Shop Shut Off Valves at Ace Hardware
Order online for fast home delivery or store pickup, or visit your neighborhood Ace store where knowledgeable associates can help you match pipe threads, tube diameters and connection fittings. Shop shut off valves near you to get the right supplies and advice for your next plumbing project.
