The broken off curb key situation is easially remedied with a strong magnet on a pole.
Do any other plumbing yourself, but you really need a licensed plumber to do this.
If you damage the curb stop you are in trouble. Even a licensed plumber would not touch one unless they are reasonably sure of its condition (mine insisted I call the water company out to replace it before he touched it).
If it does not turn the water off completely, soldering new valves may be tricky (especially if you have cut the old ones off).
I could call the water company and have them do it. If they break the curb stop though it’s the homeowners (my) responsibility though. I feel better doing it myself as I won’t force it as much as they might.I know a number of LP's who would prefer the water company shut off the curb stop, just so the possible problems don't occur on their dime.
I’ve been plumbing for about two years now so I certainly won’t claim to have seen it all. I’ve delt with those packed curb stops as well most of the time a shop vac and a long thin piece of metal or a hose will clear them out. I’ve ended up digging one because it was too packed and the basement was rapidly filling with water. I’ve never seen a curb key made of rebar? The ones I’ve seen are 1/2in solid square tube. The magnet retrievals I’ve done were a result of a homeowner breaking some sort of makeshift key off in there within days of calling me so it wasn’t packed in with mud yet.How long have you been plumbing?
I've encountered more misaligned, more mud/stone packed curb stops than I care to mention. Those rebar type keys usually do not work and you need those real narrowed type that only the water district have.
I've snapped the cheap ones (rebar type) and that's why I mentioned extreme caution.
Those tubes depending on how deep the valve is made in sections, sections that become misaligned over time.
It's an open cavity and most times they fill with debri, tossing the idea of a easy magnet retrieval.
Hopefully your area is much better earth than mine but I honestly call the water district for all my jobs involving complete shutoffs in campbell county. In the older, developed neighborhoods.......even the water district guys have trouble shutting them down.
I like the meter key I have but it's really for the crock type only. I think curb stop valves should be banned......especially if I showed you how they are making the new ones.....sitting on the shelf at my local supply house.
I'll take pictures of them and I guarantee it'll piss you off. It's guaranteed to fail when that valve gets hard to turn.
This is awkward, but...
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