Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    OldHouseOwner's Avatar
    OldHouseOwner Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 18, 2008, 08:30 AM
    Leaking shut-off valve
    Hi!
    One of our cold water shutoff valves started to leak for no reason. The leak is not at the glued joints, but under/around the turn handle. When I turned the handle, the valve seemed like it was not open all the way, and when it fully opened, the leak stopped. This valve has not been opened/closed in years. What would make it start to leak out of the blue? We discovered this leak within a few hours, and it caused some damage to the ceiling below. I shudder to think what would have happened if we had been gone for several days! Can I just replace the washer to fix this problem? Also, do I now have to be distrustful of all the other shut-off valves in the house? Any advice will be appreciated!
    Thanks!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Feb 18, 2008, 08:44 AM
    Can I just replace the washer to fix this problem? Also, do I now have to be distrustful of all the other shut-off valves in the house? Any advice will be appreciated!
    No! This is a bonnet packing leak and it's real easy to fix. Open the valve up so that the stem starts to leak. Now snug up the bonnet packing nut located just under the handle until the drip stops. STOP! Do not over tighten. This shoulkd take care of your leak. Good luck, Tom
    OldHouseOwner's Avatar
    OldHouseOwner Posts: 10, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 18, 2008, 08:57 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1
    No! This is a bonnet packing leak and it's real easy to fix. Open the valve up so that the stem starts to leak. Now snug up the bonnet packing nut located just under the handle until the drip stops. STOP!! Do not over tighten. this shoulkd take care of your leak. good luck, Tom
    I forgot to mention that this shut-off valve is plastic, not copper. Does that make a difference?
    Thanks!
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Leaking Water Shut Off Valve [ 4 Answers ]

The main water shut off valve inside the house is leaking. How do I shut off the valve "outside" the house so we can work on fixing this? The house is 16 yrs old. This is the original valve. Would you estimate that this is a simple washer problem? Or is this best left to a professional...

Leaking Shut off Valve-How do I repair it? [ 2 Answers ]

Went to fix a leaking sink in my bathroom. Turn off the water shut off valve in the basement when I went to turn the water back on (fix the leaky sink)the shut off valve will not stop leaking. How do I repair it?:confused:

Leaking washing machine water supply shut off valve [ 8 Answers ]

How do you repair a water supply valve that is leaking. It is the valve that connects the water supply to my washing machine. The leak occurs when I shift the lever from off to on and vice versa.

Snow blower leaking gas from the shut off valve [ 2 Answers ]

Gas is leaking from the fuel valve on my snow blower. Does this means something is wrong with the valve?

Shut off valve [ 3 Answers ]

I just installed a new plastic shut off valve to my hot water supply on my lavatory and I cannot get it to open. I am thinking that the glue may have glued it closed. Any ideas on how to get it unstuck without replacing it?

View more questions Search