How to fix a leaky shutoff valve

Plumbing issues can give you headaches, especially when you know nothing about them. For instance, if you deal with a leaky water shutoff valve, you need to start by learning a thing or two about toilets and faucets. For one, residential toilets and faucets come with shut-off valves (“angle stops”). They are behind the toilets, whereas there are two shutoff valves for the sinks. This way, you can shut off the cold and hot water independently. It’s also common for washing machines to feature shutoff valves– it’s a topic to discuss some other time.

Should you worry about a leaky water shutoff valve?

Some shutoff valves are screwed on, whereas others are soldered right to the pipe. Every shutoff valve comes with compression fittings so that you can easily attach them to the fixture. Corrosion will make a shutoff valve leak in time. The compression models aren’t made to last forever and most will start leaking after 8-10 years. Wear and tear are the main reasons an old valve will leak. Replacing the shutoff valves will be the only solution at some point. We recommend you call the plumber and replace all the valves after ten years of use.

Water leaking in a house isn’t something you want to deal with, as it can cause severe damage. A leaky valve can cause water damage that requires expensive repairs. You must know where the emergency shutoff valve is placed, especially if it’s a faulty valve causing the issue. You can watch a video online about fixing a water leak but have the plumber’s phone number within reach just in case. Any house has a main shut off water valve and individual shutoffs behind every fixture. Therefore, any sink in your house has its water line hook up point under the sink, the same way your toilet, fridge, dishwasher, and washing machine has. Most of us know about the water shutoff but don’t know how to use it unless necessary.

If you still sit on the fence about whether you should manage the small leak in the leaking water valve, you should consider this. You can waste up to three gallons of water every day and have permanent water stains and rot behind the toilet and under the sink by not fixing the leaking shutoff valve. Unlike other plumbing issues, fixing a leak of the water shutoff valve isn’t complicated. There are only a few steps to follow to repair the shutoff valve leaks.

What steps to take to repair a leaking shutoff valve?

One of the things you need to learn when fixing plumbing issues is to follow specific steps to get results. Our tips on how to repair a leaky shut off valve come next–the tools you need are available in most hardware stores.

Tighten the packing nut

Begin fixing the leak by protecting the soft metal parts of the leaking shut-off valve. Do it by wrapping a masking tape around the jaw of the slip-joint pliers. Remove the handle from the steam and loosen it to remove the packing nut. You need to tighten the packing nut and grasp the nut behind the handle with pliers. Turn it slowly clockwise. After tightening the packing nut, see if the dripping stops or reduces. Any improvement is a sign that you only need to tighten the packing nut to eliminate the leak.

Turn off the main water supply

If tightening the packing nut didn’t eliminate the leaks, you need to turn off the main water pipe to the toilet/sink and drain the line entirely. Place a bucket under the shut off valve to collect all residual water in the pipe. Otherwise, it could drip while you tighten the packing nut.

Dismantle de shutoff valve

Use a screwdriver to remove the screw from the water shut off the handle– you want to dismantle it from the sink. You don’t need to remove it from the supply line. Once the packing nut is loosened, you can pull out the threaded valve stem. Make sure you note the position and size of the packing washer. You can also take pictures.

Clean/replace the old washer

Unless the valve is cracked or damaged, the main cause of the leaks is the packing washer. Mineral deposits on the washer can alter the rubber gasket and wear them down until they start to leak. You can fix the problem by replacing the packing washer with a new one of the same size. Go to the nearest hardware store and buy the same size packing washer.

Sometimes, replacement isn’t necessary and cleaning the packing washers will solve the problem. Use a clean dry rag to remove all mineral deposits and clean the washer without scratching or tearing it. A thorough clean can fix the washer and you don’t even need to use any tools.

Put it back together

You can now reassemble the valve and put it back in its place. We don’t recommend you use any plumbing lubricants as they will stick the valve’s elements. Repairing will the tricky in the future if so.

After you place the valve stem in its place, you can turn on the water supply to the sink. See that everything is secured in its place before you turn on the water. If the tightening of the packing nut, cleaning/replacement of the washers has been done correctly, you shouldn’t notice any leaks. If water still comes out of the valve, the best fix replaces the valve. Luckily for you, replacing a faulty shut-off valve is not complicated. As long as you find the identical shutoff model (type, size, and thread), you should be able to replace it with another one easily and fast.

Extra tip

Whether you tighten a packing nut to get a watertight seal, replace a water valve stem or work on an outdoor faucet, you should remember two fundamental tips. The first is to shut the drain off before proceeding permanently. You don’t want any parts to slip into the drain. The second is to memorize the order of every dismantled part to ease out reassembly.

How to replace the water shutoff valve

If you’ve been wondering if you need a plumber to replace a water shutoff valve, the answer is “not every time”. You can watch a video online on how to do it right. Begin with grabbing the tools you will need:

  • tongue and groove pliers
  • adjustable wrench
  • flashlight
  • hacksaw, pipe cutter or PVC cutter
  • sandpaper, steel-wool and rags

Follow the following steps to replace a leaking water valve:

  • Turn the water supply off. The location of the main is typically in the basement or the garage.
  • Examine the fitting below the valve. It can be a soldered connection, a screwed on fitting or a compression fitting. In many videos, you will see that it’s recommended to remove the old valve and take it to the hardware store to buy the same size and type. Ask the professionals in the store for support if you can’t discover what you need.
  • Unscrew and disconnect the links to the supply line.

The valve screws on

Use an adjustable wrench and screw the replacement valve on.

The water valve is soldered on

You have to cut the pipe below the current one using a pipe cutter, a PVC cutter or a hacksaw. Don’t cut too close to the wall.

The valve stem is a compression fitting

Use an adjustable wrench to twist the packing nut and hold the pipe stub with another wrench. Twist and pull the current fitting. Slid off the compression ring left on the pipe, if applicable.

Take the pieces to the store to get a suitable pipe for your system.

  • Clean the end of the pipe with steel wool or sandpaper
  • slide the compression packing nut over the waterline and the compression ring over the water pipes. Slide the new valve, too and place the handle for effortless access.
  • Tighten the compression nut against the valve with an adjustable wrench. Some pipe joint compound on the threads might be necessary.
  • Connect the valve to the faucet and seal it tightly.
  • Turn the water on at the main and test the valve for any small leak. Tighten it a bit more if it seems loose. Test it once again. Flush the toilet when applicable.

 

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