Shutoff valve orientation for lav sink

[Giantsean]

Hey All,

This is probably the stupidest question ever posted, but I just don't know the answer. I am installing a lav sink for a laundry room and the sink itself is rather deep, and barely clears the supply line connections which are pointing straight up. It is a sweat on full turn valve.
So I figure I have a few choices, probably some of which are better than others. Should I:

- remove and reinstall the same valves and point them to 3/9 o'clock, or both to 6? I've never seen valves point down instead of up so not sure how appropriate it is
- remove and replace with straight through valves with the shutoff on the side
- replace with sharkbite valves so I can wing them around where I need em

The new faucet has flexible supply lines so routing/installing shouldn't be a huge deal w/ any orientation. Thank you for any advice!

 

[Cacher_Chick]

I would dump them and install some 1/4 turn ball valves, which are more reliable, look better, and are easier to operate.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Giantsean]

If I do toss the existing ones I might as well get straight through valves then. On the other hand, many say that multi-turn valves are superior because you can repair them in place (vs needing to toss the entire thing with a ball valve. Nowhere in this world save the construction business are there so many "best ways" to do something

 

[Terry]

I have never repaired a multi-turn valve. I have replaced thousands of them.
But that's a plumbers perspective that has insurance in case stuff goes downhill. I prefer to get it right. Plus I like new stuff.
I only install 1/4 turn valves.

 

[hj]

Who, other than a DIYer, would waste the time to 'repair' an angle stop?

 

[Flapper]

If I do toss the existing ones I might as well get straight through valves then. On the other hand, many say that multi-turn valves are superior because you can repair them in place (vs needing to toss the entire thing with a ball valve. Nowhere in this world save the construction business are there so many "best ways" to do something

You can repair them because they'd need to be repaired; 1/4 turns can't be repaired because they won't need to be repaired.

 

[Gary Swart]

In addition to all of the above, forget about sharkbite valves. Use compression. Sweat on would work, but a bit more effort and the compression are neater looking where looks are important.

 

[Giantsean]

Ok sold on 1/4 turn. I will pick some up. So as for the most pressing question, can I point the angle valve w/ the supply hookup pointing down, or do I need to get some straight thrus?

You guys are really the best help a DIY'er can ask for!

 

[Cacher_Chick]

If the supplies are coming out of the wall, you can install an angle stop pointed up, down, sideways, or anywhere in between.

 

[Flapper]

Ok sold on 1/4 turn. I will pick some up. So as for the most pressing question, can I point the angle valve w/ the supply hookup pointing down, or do I need to get some straight thrus?

You guys are really the best help a DIY'er can ask for!

They can point anywhere you want.
I think it may be a good idea to point them down because then your flex makes a U-shape... if you have the valve output pointing at the destination, you are always going to have the flex looped or spiraled or whatever and it's ugly. With a U-shape the end can go anywhere and it will always be a nice U. Less stress on the flex too; the flex hangs straight down from the connections. I haven't really actually tried this but I figured it's a good idea.
And there may be other benefits of having the valve output pointing down like you won't have water sitting in it...

 

[FullySprinklered]

Although I like the quarter-turn stops, removing the stem from a new stop and screwing into the old one takes thirty seconds and will get you out of the cabinet a lot quicker. Not as flexible as I used to be.