Water Shut Off Valve Leaking At Stem

1 x research source open a faucet to relieve back pressure on water line.

Water shut off valve leaking at stem.

A water shut off valve leaking can make a mess and waste water. This valve usually is in the basement or a utility closet and it will be clearly labeled. Step by step instruction showing how to stop a shut off valve from leaking at the stem. Water shut off valves can also leak at various points on the valve.

Next remove the handle from the stem and then loosen and remove the packing nut. Several considerations dictate which is the best water shut off valve for your needs including the size of the inlet diameter and outlet diameter as well as how the valve is operated. Multi turn shut off valves have a handle that when tightened forces a rubber gasket onto a seat in the middle of the valve that restricts water. The packing nut is responsible for making a watertight seal where the valve stem meets the water line.

The first thing you should do to stop the leak is to tighten the packing nut. If it doesn t the packing washer is probably damaged and will need replacement. On a new water valve this almost always stops the leak. First shut off the water to the leaking water valve.

Place a bucket or a thick towel on the floor under the leaky valve just in case some residual water leaks out during work. You may need to shut off water to the entire house if there is no cut off for the line. Turn off the water at the house s main shutoff then disassemble the problematic shutoff valve without disconnecting the valve from either the water supply line or the line leading to the toilet. For instance a standard stop and waste valve has three other washers that can leak in addition to the washer that shuts the water off.

Remove the old washer and slide on the new one. Turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets associated with the main shutoff valve to empty the pipes of water. Unscrew the handle the packing nut and the threaded valve stem photo 2. To tighten the packing nut follow these directions.

So if there is a leak at the valve stem it most likely means the valve is not shut off all the way. Replacing old graphite valve stem packing with new teflon seal.