[quote=flu]Ive never had a problem with my dishwasher hose leaking. I just use a rubber hose, its not even braided. Its been like this for 18years. I replaced the dishwasher myself when I first moved in, but never replaced the original hose from the previous owner. I run my dishwasher every 3rd day so I’m not sure if using it more frequently or less frequently is better/worse for the hoses.[/quote]
I think you got a bit lucky. They usually start decaying from the inside (outside would look fine). The hot water is the one that tends to go first. (the decay is kind of like what happens with auto hoses)

[quote=flu]The leaks I have had were with water shutoff valves all over the house…The old style screw-in type shutoff valves are notorious for leaking if you don’t use them most of the time, and seem to fail in the rare cases you actually need to use them to replace a fixture.
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I never had problems with the really old screw-in types (all brass). The problems I have had are with the nylon stem screw-ins. The nylon stems like to bond with the valve body. The stems are not rigid enough to push/torque past any calcium buildup in the valve. I do like the ball valves (since all you really need is on-off), provided that the ball and stem are stainless (seats tend to be teflon). As things sometimes go, I think some manufacturers are going to try nylon for the ball-cock valves too…

[quote=flu]
Basically, most valves are compression type fittings that sit over regular copper pipes, so it’s a matter of unscrewing the lock nut, and than screwing in the new valve tight. You’ll know if you screwed up and didn’t install it correctly, because the thing will either fall right off or leak massively.
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One warning here. I have noticed that some of the current valves coming out of some of the big-box hardware stores have incorrect threads on their compression fittings (non-standard threads). Brasscraft seems to be one of them. Don’t force the threads if they don’t tighten right. They may be slightly off (suspect Chinese mfr and differences between metric and SAE)
[quote=flu]
Also , since my washer and dryer on upstairs, I’ve gotten into a habit of shutting off the water lines when I’m not using the washer, in addition having large drip tray that empties into a built drain. also i have a water sensor that is hooked up to my alarm system.
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This is a very good idea. One of the problems though is that many houses are not built with a drain in the floor of the laundry room. The ’60s house I grew up in had one.. but I have seen many since that don’t have that drain.
[quote=flu]
Also, if you don’t already have one, I’d get a shutoff valve installed on the water line running just into your house. If you have already have one, I’d make sure that it works.[/quote]I would recommend putting it right before the pressure regulator, if your house has one. I makes servicing the regulator easier too
[quote=flu] Unfortunately, that valve is also currently broken and doesnt shutoff (surprise surprise)…and i haven’t gotten around to replacing it. It’s a little more complicated since I think mine needs to be cut out and welded.[/quote]They are usually not welded, they are soldered. I would recommend using a MAP gas torch instead of propane though. On the 3/4 and above fittings, you need to dump heat into them to get the solder to melt – particularly if any part is near an even larger piece of copper or brass (both transfer heat away very well).

Let me add a question here.. are you talking about the street shutoff not working or the shutoff valve to the house not working?