main water shut off valve leak / repair

8 years 4 months ago #1775 by davvee16
main water shut off valve leak / repair was created by davvee16
Our main water shut off valve is slowly dripping. We noticed it after we had to shut off and then turn it back on. The water dept says it's our responsibility to repair and they can shut off the external valve while we do. How do we repair it? What parts do we buy? We don’t have money to hire a plumber. any advice ?

Thanks in advance !

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8 years 3 months ago #1787 by MTR-Admin
Replied by MTR-Admin on topic main water shut off valve leak / repair
Not sure if you mean the valve in the ground or under the house?

Depends if you have a gate valve, and that's what it sounds like.

If so, then the packing around the handle can be replaced in most cases, but the water has to be turned off at the street.

This is a gate valve. If you remove the screw holding the red handle on, then remove the top gland nut, there is usually packing material below the gland nut. You can purchase the packing material at a hardware store, wind it clockwise around the stem, then tighten the gland nut, but not too tight. This should fix it.

Hope this helps a little!

- MTR

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