Isolation valve leaking

[reb78]

I have an isolation valve thats dripping a tiny bit on the pipe to the kitchen tap. Its weeping from the screw that operates the valve.

Any chance theres a tip to get it to seal? Its an awkward place to replace. Suspect replacement is the only answer as its only going to get worse.

Its the one in the corner.

 

[Anguz]

Had to replace some of mine.. they are not all the same length

 

[Welderpaul]

These things are horrible. Looks a fairly new install?

I've had a few on older houses just stick and the screw breaks when you give it a bit of welly.

Gaz and a few others have suggested lever valves which i'll have a go with.

At one time they used to be pretty good. like most things I suppose, cheaped out to the point of barely fit for purpose.

If there's a bit of slack in the pipe you might be able to fit a replacement, or a different type of valve reusing the olives/nuts.

 

[waddycall]

Sometimes turning them off and on again a few times can help but sometimes it makes it worse.

 

[reb78]

Refit similar using the old olives is probably what i will need to do. Its put in the worst spot. Tempted to get rid and put a straight coupling in there. Theres another isolation valve for the cold water (and hot) so these are superfluous really.

 

[reb78]

Haha. It made it worse then better then worse then worse then worse again so I left at that point till some flared ring spanners arrive that will get in there!

 

[Seadog]

Ignore it, it'll soon stop.

 

[500e]

Will be like a maggot in your brain if you are like me

 

[reb78]

Will be like a maggot in your brain if you are like me

Its wiggled its way in a fair way already!

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

NO.

Just had the same under the bath, a new valve is needed.

 

[dobbslc]

For a straight replacement try a Pegar one from Screwfix as they are good quality or if you have a bit of wiggle room put in a lever ball valve, again I always use Peglar ones.

 

[Guzrik]

It isn't possible to srew the stem out and replace it with a plug?
And seal with a copper ring on the front surface?

 

[Anguz]

Seem to remember on one of mine I took it out, knocked the ball out, and soldered up the hole
It was a Sunday evening and I vowed never to mess with plumbing again

 

[reb78]

Seem to remember on one of mine I took it out, knocked the ball out, and soldered up the hole
It was a Sunday evening and I vowed never to mess with plumbing again

Haha. I wish i hadnt bothered. I was putting a washing machine connection in and turned off here for ease. Then it started weeping. 10 min job turns into hours messing around.

 

[Welderpaul]

Have you ever undone an old school compression fitting, or a brass bath trap, or a gas union. Built like battleships.
We do suffer some junk now.

Have you ever cut into an old joist or rafter. Almost like cutting hardwood, really tight growth rings. Then compare it to a modern piece of fast grown rubber timber from DIY places.

 

[reb78]

Have you ever undone an old school compression fitting, or a brass bath trap, or a gas union. Built like battleships.
We do suffer some junk now.

Have you ever cut into an old joist or rafter. Almost like cutting hardwood, really tight growth rings. Then compare it to a modern piece of fast grown rubber timber from DIY places.

Agree completely. I have a few old gas fittings and tools as my grandfather used to work on the gas holders. Proper gear back then.

 

[gaz1]

These things are horrible. Looks a fairly new install?

I've had a few on older houses just stick and the screw breaks when you give it a bit of welly.

Gaz and a few others have suggested lever valves which i'll have a go with.

At one time they used to be pretty good. like most things I suppose, cheaped out to the point of barely fit for purpose.

If there's a bit of slack in the pipe you might be able to fit a replacement, or a different type of valve reusing the olives/nuts.

to be honest id rather use a proper stop tap or gate valve than those things they are a few uses and then there no good as they leak for fun

its either replace with new again or swap the the isolation valve for something else

everyone wants neat but neat dosnt always mean it will seal properly and those isolation valves leak for fun after one or a few turns shutting them off and back on again

the gas lever valves are the same thing so be warned

at least with a stop tap or gate valve you can nip up the top nut to seal them over the years and they last a lot longer in years than those things

 

[reb78]

to be honest id rather use a proper stop tap or gate valve than those things they are a few uses and then there no good as they leak for fun

its either replace with new again or swap the the isolation valve for something else

everyone wants neat but neat dosnt always mean it will seal properly and those isolation valves leak for fun after one or a few turns shutting them off and back on again

the gas lever valves are the same thing so be warned

at least with a stop tap or gate valve you can nip up the top nut to seal them over the years and they last a lot longer in years than those things

I'll replace with the same for now and when we redo this kitchen probably remove them completely. Its only a small cottage so no big deal to use the stop tap in the cupboard the other side of that wall to turn the water off!

 

[gaz1]

we have stop taps been in for 40 years on the cold side to most things including the water heater

they are still in working condition with no leaks from them even though the corvec britony needs a new diaphram every few years

compared to those isolation valves that have been in a few years that drip from the screw part

gate valves are best used on the hot side of things as the rubbers perish due to the flow of heated water through them

 

[Brad93]

Lever valves are all i fit now in our house. They're better quality for starters

We've had two burst flexi pipes going to taps which has been quicker to shut off via the main stopcock under the sink in kitchen than digging a screwdriver out and trying to operate the corroded screw!