Water valve won't budge

[Mackened]

Basically, there are leaks going on in my house, but I can't turn the water valve off, it won't budge. I think it rusted.
How much would it cost to hire a plumber to replace the valve? How long would it take?
Any tips for helping me fix it by myself? Why is it rusted?

 

[plumber0808]

I think you live in the house that jack built. :toilet:

 

[glenno1]

Have you tried a spanner on it(go steady)

 

[clarky101]

Turn it off in the road matey....

 

[Centralheatking]

Give it a squirt of WD 40 and try again next day, get a good pair of grips turn it on a little 1st then go in the off direction, it will either work or shear the shaft - sometimes a gentle smack on the wheel head helps.

OR if your not confident get one of us in and it will be cheaper in the end if you mess up -

Utilities get a bit funny about unqualifieds messing about with THEIR stops outside the property

Basically, there are leaks going on in my house, but I can't turn the water valve off, it won't budge. I think it rusted.
How much would it cost to hire a plumber to replace the valve? How long would it take?
Any tips for helping me fix it by myself? Why is it rusted?

 

[tom609]

on the stop tap spindle there will be a packing gland nut clean the spindle with some sand paper or emery paper apply a bit of grease if you have some then slacken the packing gland nut put a spanner on the stop tap handle and gently ease it clockwise that should do the trick if water leaks out of the packing gland just nip it back up when you are done hope this helps

 

[Dan Masey]

WD40 wont do anything really. Take a picture of it on your phone and take it to your local plumb centre and get a new one. £10 max and 10 mins work. Make sure your stop tap in the garden is off and then open the downstairs tap until it all stops. then undo the nuts, remove old stop tap and add some jointing compound to the old olives. Fit new one. Jobs a good un.

 

[tom609]

could be on lead pipe

 

[Dan Masey]

could be on lead pipe

Ouch! get a plumber in! lol

 

[REDSAW]

brass dont rust!