Repair main water valve that won't shut off

[@1942nn]

Great video. Having exact same problem with exact same kind of valve. Plan to fix it, but the valve is really close to the ground. Hope that that does not make it too difficult.

[@Vincerama]

When I repaired mine, the head of the brass screw that held the washer in CRUMBLED. I used a pick to pick out the remnants of the washer and luckily was able to get the rest of the screw out. The body was OK so I was able to figure out the thread size. I replaced the washer and screw in the parts department at Ace Hardware, Home Depot didn't have the right washer. Fixed like new! I'm still surprised that the brass head of a screw would completely crumble to the touch though. I was very luck that the city water meter is in the driveway in a box with an easily removed lid.

[@tommyg4822]

Considering the hassle of getting the water company to shut off the main any time you need to service this valve, wouldn't it have been a good idea to also replace the stem nut packing "while you were in there?"

[@jboulet07]

While you had the whole thing apart you should do it all, packing, washer and a new screw.

[@mikemoreno4469]

That was excellent. Thank you.

[@Kblom768]

Just had mine replaced with a ball valve.

[@areolaman]

Is that the ground wire for the whole house?

[@discoveryman59]

Good job! Only problem is the washer you put in is made today, I bet it only lasts 5 or 10 years and it will need doing again, everything made today is made to fail quickly.

[@sixter4157]

I replaced hose bibb washers that were 20+ years old. The new washers lasted maybe 3 years before they started leaking. I changed the hose bibbs out for 1/4 turn ball valve type after that.

[@discoveryman59]

@@sixter4157Isn't it sad the way thing are today? Yeah ball valve's are the way to go.

[@RS240766]

What was the size of the new washer?

[@tilleytristan]

the city is coming to shutoff my water tomorrow for this exact issue. I have a lot more copper pipe to work with to potentially replace my valve with a ball valve if needed.

[@mgtow-balance3409]

no plumber's tape required?

[@Vincerama]

No. As he said the threads are straight and the brass faces meet and seal. You only need plumbers tape or pipe dope on tapered thread pipe fittings where the pipe threads are slightly tapered and lock in as you tighten them. This valve (and most) don't use that in such places. It's more for connecting fittings to pipe and less so for attaching handles/stems into valve bodies.

[@tannerwest6823]

Looks like a 3/8 large or 1/2 inch Bibb washer

[@AndersGreen]

Good fix, but also, dude! Get some kind of mini phone stand or something so you don't have to do everything with just one hand! I'm feeling sorry for you over here! ❤❤

[@alockworkorange7296]

All the old hardware stores around me have pretty much gone out of buisness and now im stuck on speeding 3$+ on a bolt

[@bryceg5709]

Code here makes me have a gate valve on both sides. I hate that. So I have 4 shut offs. At the street then two gates at the meter socket and then a full port ball valve. Problem solved never touch the gate.

[@JG-rm1di]

Should have just put a ball valve in.

[@vipkarl]

I'm sure you never need to use it, but it goes bad anyway

[@賣国賊肃药元]

Washer should tell number.

[@賣国賊肃药元]

You should replacement all valve.

[@NiNjaTurtLe697]

What washer 🤔. 😂

[@marks4471]

Replace that crappy old-school valve with a ball valve!

[@mikemaj8467]

If he doesn't have unions on each side of the valve, which he likely doesn't, what you are suggesting is alot more work. Especially for a valve that is hardly used.

[@marks4471]

@@mikemaj8467 It’s an FIP gate valve! All he has to do is unscrew it from the pipe and screw a new FIP ball valve back on. Lol

[@glenn7723]

Promo-SM

[@homes24]

Lol, didn't even replace the valve

[@trevortrillion6037]

None of these IS going to match. None IS big enough. NONE is a singular subject. Two are, one is, none is...