Leak in main water shutoff valve

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    • #275537
      Avatar photoMasterPlumbers
      Keymaster

        I am a new home owner and not really knowledgable in plumming at all. Recently I went to turn off the main water shutoff valve to my home and it started leaking. I tightened the nut under the handle and it basically stopped leaking. I have had the water shutoff to the house and am researching my options before calling a plummer. My piping is Polybutylene and so is the main shutoff valve. I want to replace it with a more dependable model (Copper maybe?). Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

        Eddie

      • #292351
        Avatar photoSylvanLMP
        Participant

          The nut under the handle (packing gland)is a cronic problem on most stem type of valves like a gate and globe pattern.

          Even under the best conditions the packing does loosen and thus leaks.

          You could of course try to get a professional Plumber to install a ball valve (Bronze) or possibly open your leaking valve fully THEN back off a 1/4 turn so it doesnt freeze in the open position and then VERY GENTLY tighten the bonet nut again just until the leak stops.

          When you need to close this valve for a system shut down you can back off this nut then close the valve so your not putting undo stress on the cheap plastic parts then tighten the nut if it leaks until you need to open the main again.

          Sometimes all you need to do is either fully open or close a valve remove the handle remove the nut remove the old packing hope it isnt graphite as it can score a stem then repack the stem and retaining nut with 1/8 diameter Teflon PACKING not the tape but packing.

          When repacking do NOT use it in one continuous strand but cut several short pieces like I did for very high pressure steam applications (1,200-1,500 PSI)and face each piece 180 degrees apart.

          Simple basic plummmin stuff.

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