Utility tap has a small leak from the handle

[Mac456]

Hi all,

The tap we use for our washing machine has a very slow drip coming from the handle (when turning handle the drip flows faster and then settles again)
It also seems to drip even when turned off.

Is there any sealent/putty type thing I can apply to the joint to stop it dripping?

If not what is the best way to resolve it?

A job for a plumber or easy DIY (no experience with this sort of thing)

Thanks

 

[steadyon]

Looks like a standard stop valve and is probably leaking from the gland nut (small hexagon brass nut immediately under the handle).

1. Open tap fully, clean / polish spindle with green dishwashing type mesh abrasive.
2. Close tap fully.
3. Undo gland nut and slide up spindle.
4. Clean / polish as much of spindle now visible as possible.
5. Take a 150mm length of PTFE tape (not the gas variety, the ordinary sort) and twist into a string.
6. Wrap string around spindle below gland nut in the direction gland nut will tighten.
7. Push string down into body of tap, replace and tighten gland nut.
8. If still leaks, try again with longer PTFE tape.
9. Finally, open tap fully, then close back 1/4 turn.

 

[rpm]

Edit:
Haha, 2 people reply at same time!

 

[Mac456]

Thanks for the tips. I assume I need to turn off the main water stop clock before doing this.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Nope best to do it open

 

[Mac456]

Nope best to do it open

Ok so when I undo the gland nut water is not going to go everywhere?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No might drip but should be fine just make sure the stop tap is open all the way open to give you enough room to work

 

[Ric2013]

I think the OP meant the mains water stopcock, not the stopcock in the photo that isn't actually being used as a stopcock?

 

[Nwalky]

In my opinion, if you know how to turn the water off before this valve i would turn it off, remove this faulty stopcock and replace with the same type, stop cocks of this sort through age and from being turned on and off several times throughout the years develop problems at the packing gland (which was mentioned earlier) and although they can sometimes be resealed and saved its not to say that the next time you go to turn it off you're not faced with the same problem. I cant see the picture properly but its probably just a standard 15mm stopcock and if you have the space to remove and replace it then i would do so.

 

[Ric2013]

I would assume it's a 3/4" stopcock OR there is an adapter fitted to the outlet, else I can't see how it's connected to a 3/4"BSP (presumed) washing machine hose fitting?

 

[Welder]

Stop taps are NOT designed to be used with any type of real frequency. If you are using it even monthly then change it to one designed to do that job.

 

[Ric2013]

Surely a decent quality (e.g. Pegler) stop tap, compliant with BS1010, should stand up to repeated use just as well as a BS1010 basin tap?

 

[Welder]

Its the stuffing gland thats the prob. Today its only o-rings with the likes of silicone grease that can easy withstand the continuous back and forth without continual, and i mean continual, maintence.

 

[Mac456]

Hi everyone, to update this all I had to do was simply tighten the gland nut and no more leak. I did have some tape ready to use if it was needed.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Harvest Fields]

Hi everyone, to update this all I had to do was simply tighten the gland nut and no more leak. I did have some tape ready to use if it was needed.

Thanks everyone.

Great solution short term. But once you turn it off and on again it will just leak again.

 

[Mac456]

Great solution short term. But once you turn it off and on again it will just leak again.

I did turn it off and on a few times to test it which it didn't leak but next time I have access to it I will use the tape or a o-ring on it.

Also it only has a washing machine connected to it so hopefully I will not need to touch it for a few years (until it stops working)