Stopcock advice please!

[Gem1983]

Hi all. We had some plumbing work done this week and now our stopcock is weeping from the gland nut.
Three times in 2 years this nut has been tightened and has no more to give. 2 years is time lived here not age of stopcock. Unsure on that.
Now if I pay someone to repack the gland am I just going to have the same problem next time I use the stopcock? Which is every time I go away!
Or am I better off just paying god knows how much to get it fully replaced?
Thank you

 

[SimonG]

How often do you use the stop tap?

 

[Gem1983]

It’s been used 3 times in the past month for tap fittings and a pipe leak.

since we’ve lived here I’d say it’s been used easily 10 times a year what with boiler installations. New showers, taps and a few leaks!

we go away 4-5 times a year too.

 

[steadyon]

You could try doing it yourself:
To fix a leaking gland nut on a stop valve.

• Close the valve completely. Turn clockwise looking down on the handle.
• Undo the gland nut. This is the small nut, usually hexagonal but occasionally a knurled ring.
• If the “T” piece for the handle is screwed on in the centre, try and loosen the screw.
• If possible, remove the handle and the gland nut. If not possible, carry out 6 and 7 below as far as you can.
• Clean any limescale from the shaft of the tap as far as possible. Use a limescale remover like Kilrock if possible. For any remainder, use fine sandpaper (120 grit or greater) or a fine file.
• Clean the shaft as much as possible, and make sure there is no roughness to it. A polish with grade 00 wire wool or Brasso is good.
• Cut a length of PTFE tape. Start with about 10 inches / 250 mm. Twist it into a “string”
• Wrap the string around the spindle, clockwise looking down from the handle end.
• Put the gland nut back on the spindle if removed.
• Push the PTFE down into the body of the tap with something like a thin flat bladed screwdriver.
• Screw the gland nut back into the body of the valve.
• Tighten the gland nut so that the spindle can just be turned by hand (with the handle back on if removed).
• Open the valve and check for leaks.
• For a slight weep, try tightening the gland nut a little more.
• For a more serious weep, repeat as above and use more PTFE.

 

[SimonG]

Fix the gland leak then fit a decent quality lever ball valve above and use that for isolating.

 

[Gem1983]

Thanks for the advice guys. DIY with water is a huge no! I’m not very strong with the spanner! 😂
Am I looking at a huge job and bill if we want to take out the old stop totally? Not a great deal of space where it currently sits to add another on top.

 

[Roy_66]

Assuming the stop tap out in the street works it's not a big job for a professional. Just combine it with next plumbing job. I also like Simon's advice above of also adding a large bore quality lever arm ball valve. I think the trad tap you have at the mo is a legal requirement (so you can't hammer the supply pipework by turning off too quick).

I have a bit of string tied round my stop tap spindle into a plant tray, so ignore small weeping leaks and see if they dry up. Otherwise as you say you would run out of thread / patience.

Do you have an outside tap (prob small leak) that you can practice on? ( Only if you can isolate it from inside)

The tap maintenance is great if you do it early enough before get too much corrosion. Think unless you can get the spindle into top condition (prob need a lot of practice or a pro to do it) it will leak again after a few operations.

Cheers,

Roy. (Amateur plumber)

 

[Gem1983]

Assuming the stop tap out in the street works it's not a big job for a professional. Just combine it with next plumbing job. I also like Simon's advice above of also adding a large bore quality lever arm ball valve. I think the trad tap you have at the mo is a legal requirement (so you can't hammer the supply pipework by turning off too quick).

I have a bit of string tied round my stop tap spindle into a plant tray, so ignore small weeping leaks and see if they dry up. Otherwise as you say you would run out of thread / patience.

Do you have an outside tap (prob small leak) that you can practice on? ( Only if you can isolate it from inside)

The tap maintenance is great if you do it early enough before get too much corrosion. Think unless you can get the spindle into top condition (prob need a lot of practice or a pro to do it) it will leak again after a few operations.

Cheers,

Roy. (Amateur plumber)

Thanks Roy

I only had my plumber here last Thursday fitting some bath taps and was here 2 weeks before that for a leak!

I am not confident enough to try DIY at all. Only lived here 2 years and have seen out plumber on a regular basis!
I just don't know what to ask him for. Hubby wants the stopcock replaced, he's not a fan of "bodging" but it's such a slow weep at only 2 -3 drips a day.

He's gonna think I am a total looney wanting a replacement for that? But I'm a worrier and don't want it going gush on me over xmas!
Confuuused!

 

[Roy_66]

Thanks Roy

I only had my plumber here last Thursday fitting some bath taps and was here 2 weeks before that for a leak!

I am not confident enough to try DIY at all. Only lived here 2 years and have seen out plumber on a regular basis!
I just don't know what to ask him for. Hubby wants the stopcock replaced, he's not a fan of "bodging" but it's such a slow weep at only 2 -3 drips a day.

He's gonna think I am a total looney wanting a replacement for that? But I'm a worrier and don't want it going gush on me over xmas!
Confuuused!

I know I'm a loony and gave up worrying about that years ago.

No you want a working tap, so just ask (beforehand) for a new standard stop tap next time a pro is paying you a visit. Also if space avail, I Iike the idea of the additional lever ball valve that you will actually use most of the time.

In the meantime tie a bit of string round it into a drip tray and keep an eye on it. After a few days it may well gum up. Mine is like that at the mo. If it doesn't stop after a few days then just try a little tightening and repeat the process. Any more I'd leave to a pro, unless you want a new hobby (in that case I'd practice on a garden tap. Being very sad I've done that and can stop them leaking until used a few times. It all depends on how much corrosion on the shaft).

To avoid a corroded leaking tap shaft they need regular exercise and maintenance, and most of us don't remember to look in the back of the cupboard often enough LOL.

Best of luck.

Cheers,
Roy