Can you rebuild a shut-off valve?

Wanttodoitright · 03-17-2008, 06:16 PM

I have a water shut-off valve mounted on a pipe in between my water meter and my house. This can shut off the water to the whole house, without me going to the sidewalk, and shutting off the main supply. It is a simple valve with the "wagon wheel" style handle that you turn to control the water flow. Water has started to drip out of the valve, where the handle is. The valve is soldered in place to the copper pipe, but it seems to have a nut where the leak is. If I shut the main off, and unscrew that nut, is there some sort of seal that I can replace? An o-ring, or something?

Thanks for your support!!!!

Ron The Plumber · 03-17-2008, 06:18 PM

It's leaking through the packing, just try to tighten it up say about 1/4 turn, that will usually stop it from leaking.

Wanttodoitright · 03-17-2008, 07:24 PM

I'll give that a try!

Can the valve be rebuilt, in the event that the previous owner has already tightened it a few times? I don't want to have start cutting pipes and testing my soldering skils.

Ron The Plumber · 03-17-2008, 07:26 PM

No usually, they get replaced when bad, you can add stem packing string if needed, get some at a home center.

Wanttodoitright · 03-17-2008, 07:32 PM

Thanks!

I'll give it a shot!

Double A · 03-18-2008, 03:08 AM

Get some stem grease and grease that string before you put it in (assuming its really candle wicking string, and not teflon packing).

Wanttodoitright · 03-18-2008, 06:00 PM

It looks like tightening the nut did the trick!

For now.........

perpetual98 · 03-19-2008, 09:51 AM

I just had almost the exact same issue last week, except it was the valve that shuts my external tap for my hose off. I went with the string packing and an extra 1/4 turn and for now it seems to be fine.