Repair Leaky Shut-Off Valve Howto DIY Fix It - Please Read Safety Tips & **New Info** in Description

How to fix a leaky shut-off valve on a hot water heater's cold water supply line. It's a simple fix on a system that warrants a little thought before diving in. Please read and follow the safety tips below the third paragraph.
*New Info*
Starting At @ 2:53
**Please note: Wrap the self-forming valve packing (rope seal), CLOCKWISE around the VALVE STEM to fill the space under the valve nut. This will stop the leak. Do not overtighten the valve nut, or the (blue) handle will not spin to open the valve. See the video from ~ 2:53. **
Symptoms:
Dripping shut-off valve on cold water supply line to the hot water heater. Drip may be slow. Or you may be able to stop the drip by turning off some of the cold supply by tightening the shut-off valve (blue) handle a little bit. This creates the new problem:
Little or No Hot Water Pressure:
If your hot water has little or no pressure throughout the house, a leaky shut-off valve may be the culprit. What happens is the shut-off valve's packing or washer wears out over time, allowing water to seep out and drip just behind the (blue) handle of the shut off valve. This, in turn, tempts people to shut the supply valve a tiny bit, to stop the drip. Over time, the process is repeated until barely any cold water is allowed into the hot water heater. Without enough cold water coming into the tank, little to no hot water comes out of your taps or spigots. A sure-fire symptom of this problem is a rush of water when you first turn on the tap, then little or no hot water. Simply follow the steps to repair the leak and return the shut-off valve to its normal (fully open) position; and your hot water will return to its appropriate pressure.
🔥Safety Tips: ⚡
Shut off electricity to the water heater and nearby outlets. Water leaks can be unpredictable. Water mixed with electricity can be fatal. If you need to shut off the lights (if they are on the same circuit as any nearby outlets), you may use battery powered lights to see. Be safe.
Keep Cool: ♨❄👍
Drain some of the hot water from the tank after the electricity has been shut off from its heating elements. You may do so by simply turning on any hot water faucet, such as a tub or nearby sink. This allows cold water to flow into the heater and mingle with the hot water already in the tank. This will cool the water in the tank somewhat, so drips at the repair site will be in a more tolerable comfort zone. The more hot water you release, the more cool water comes into the tank; so if you have really hot water settings, take some thought about how much water you need to cool it down. This will vary depending on the size of your hot water heater and how long the electricity / heating elements have been shut down. These tanks are designed to hold heat, so don't rely solely on time to cool the water. A little caution goes a long way. Don't get burned.
⚠🔥Gas Powered Water Heater? 🔥⚠
If your system uses gas to heat the water, still shut off electric power to any nearby outlets. Consult a professional as to how to shut off the heat so as to cool the water.
✅On all water heaters:✅
Use caution when working around the temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater. If you aren't sure what that is, see the following link for an image:
www.dummies.com/wp-content/up...
To learn more about the temperature and pressure relief valve, follow the link below:
www.dummies.com/home-garden/p...
The temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve installed on hot water tanks is a vital safety feature. Do not operate your tank with heat if the TPR valve or pipes are damaged, even if they are only bent. Get a professional to inspect / repair them if they are damaged. A faulty TPR system could allow pressure to build up causing an explosion. See link above this paragraph for more info.
As stated earlier, this is a simple repair on a system that warrants a little caution that will go a long way.
🔧🔩Tools / Materials / Purpose:🔩🔧
Wire brush to clean packing nut if corroded.
Wrench🔧 that fits on the packing nut to loosen and tighten it.
Screw Driver to fit bolt 🔩holding on the (blue) handle of the shut-off valve to remove and install it.
Rag to clean packing nut thread area and mop up water drips.
Small pan to catch drips (optional)
Self-forming valve packing rope seal appropriate size for packing valve. We used a 3/32" diameter piece about 6" long. Picture in this video @ 3:00 If you aren't sure, take a picture of your system and show someone knowledgeable in the plumbing department of your local hardware store. 😎
Scissors or knife to cut the packing rope.
Lubricant to help loosen packing valve and shut-off valve handle.
👍
© DNA
#ShutOffValveRepair #DrippingValveHandle #FixLeakingValveStem #Plumbing #NoHotWater #DIY #Howto #DnAVid

[@larryellis6859]

Just want to say thanks for helping this very non-handy person fix something!

[@ntccXerblog]

@larryellis6859 Glad this helped you. Thanks for your comment. 🙂

[@Ken-harris]

I've been looking everywhere for this video thanks

[@ntccXerblog]

You're welcome, ken harris. Hope it helps. Thanks for commenting.

[@bobbyd6680]

Aren't you supposed to wrap the packing rope around and against the stem? Between the stem and the packing nut.

[@ntccXerblog]

bobby D, That's the general consensus. But our valve is fixed, no leak. Cheers!

[@f4tboy99]

Yeah the rope must be "Squished" between the shaft and the packing nut ;-)

[@greggalexander8216]

Does it matter what direction rope is wrapped also? Just asking. Reminds me of a “stuffing box” on a boat where shaft goes through hull. It’s made from a waxy wool.

[@andydecastro11]

@@greggalexander8216 you want to wrap it in the same direction as you would be tightening the nut in

[@jabo9029]

Thank you so much for the video! You're a God sent! I was able to do it without a problem thanks to you.

[@ntccXerblog]

Jamie B. You are so welcome! We just wanted to share what worked for us. Glad it helped you!

[@bdonphenomenon]

Life saver! Thanks.

[@ntccXerblog]

You're welcome.

[@PJakaPrince]

Life saver .. thanks!

[@ntccXerblog]

Glad we could help. Thanks for the feedback. 👍

[@andyshiflett2132]

Thank you, sir....!

[@ntccXerblog]

Most welcome!

[@TAO4FUN]

I have a same problem with main shutoff valve, local 5-star plumber quoted an estimate of $980 to replace valve and pressure regulator, I know they would be very unhappy to see this video, because now I can fix it with only a few bucks.

[@ntccXerblog]

Thanks for the comment Glad this helped you.

[@johnnykurplutzo6789]

Plumbers are crooks

[@Nphjake]

Very helpful.. Thankyou for posting.. Happy holidays

[@ntccXerblog]

You're welcome. Thanks for your comment.

[@robertohassenteufel1991]

Wonderful...!

[@ntccXerblog]

@robertohassenteufel1991 Glad you liked it. Thanks for commenting.

[@greggalexander8216]

Would it be better to put the rope on clockwise so rope turns same direction as nut?

[@ntccXerblog]

Yup.

[@diyjohn9584]

Noticed the rope was put on counter clockwise

[@ntccXerblog]

That's true, DIY john. And for anyone concerned with this type of repair, it is a good idea to wind the rope seal clockwise so the nut will tighten it, rather than causing it to unspool (if it catches the end of the rope). We were fortunate that the rope stayed put. Should it leak again in 30 or 40 years from now, we will endeavor to twist the rope seal in the clockwise direction. 😝 Thanks for commenting.

[@jonny6758]

Thanks for the video very helpful

[@ntccXerblog]

You're very welcome, fun times ahead. Glad we could help. Thanks for the feedback!

[@cjjonez]

@@ntccXerblog do plumber tape work as well?

[@ntccXerblog]

@@cjjonez if you mean that thin PVC tape, we would NOT recommend that. You want the rope seal shown in this video. It's not too expensive; and you don't need much. 😀 Thanks for the question. 👍 Hope this helps.

[@albertl2542]

Can gate valves be. Soldered without disassembling?

[@ntccXerblog]

Here are links to two articles on How To Solder A Gate Valve. Both articles have useful info. Recommend reading both before tackling this job: homeguides.sfgate.com/solder-plumbing-valves-21379.html www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-solder-a-gate-valve Good luck!

[@milehighbuilt6373]

Will this work for a water shut off valve under the kitchen sink if the valve spinner is on top? Also do you have any videos or any advice how to stop a very slow tear drop leak coming from a steel pipe under the kitchen sink?

[@ntccXerblog]

Under-sink valves are slightly different. They are compression valves. Just check online for how to articles or vids for them. Our experience has been that sometimes the service line (the flex line from the valve to the sink) needed to be replaced. Other times it was a simple matter of tightening the nut. And one time we had to add the PVC tape. Simple fix As for the tear drop leak, we would replace the small section of pipe that is leaking before the leak gets any worse. Be sure it is the pipe that is leaking, not a nearby fitting or valve. Water travels to the low spot, so a drip on a drain may run off the bottom of a pipe and look like a slow pipe leak. Just be sure you find the source before doing anything drastic.

[@bluegables]

I am having the same issue now. Home Depot tells me to replace the washer inside the valve, or replace the whole handle. What do you think?

[@ntccXerblog]

@Jirong Hu , Hi. Thank you for your comment. We think you should do what works best for you, given your supplies, skills, and situation. 😊 We chose a rope seal repair. If you do this, once the packing (or bonnet) nut is loose and its threads clean, you can wrap its threads with PVC tape in a single or double layer to prevent leaks there once the packing nut is tightened. Apply the PVC tape, wrapping in a clockwise direction and slightly stretching as you go; this will hold in place while you finish the repair with the rope seal. The rope seal goes on the valve stem and will be under the packing nut when that is tightened down again. The rope seal is also wrapped in a clockwise direction so that it stays wrapped as you tighten the packing nut back on the threads that you covered with PVC tape. Basically, the thin PVC tape prevents leaks between tight metal to metal surfaces (such as packing nut to threads), whereas the rope seal is used to seal larger gaps (such as the space between the valve stem and packing nut). Both tape and seal are applied in a clockwise direction so they tighten as the packing nut is tightened. Remember to tighten the packing nut just enough to stop the leak. Do not over-tighten it; that could cause restricted water flow. Please read and follow the cautions in this video's description. Whatever method you choose, we hope it works well for you. 💦✅

[@tayhorsley404]

My leak is on hot water shut off do I have to drain the tank to fix knob

[@ntccXerblog]

Depends on where the hot water shut off valve is located. If the valve is the drain at the bottom of the water heater tank, then, yes, definitely need to drain the tank. You would also need to shut off the supply line coming into the top of the water heater tank or you'll be waiting forever for the tank to drain. :-P Read this video's description section for safety tips. If you don't feel comfortable with doing it, it may be better to hire a pro.

[@tayhorsley404]

@@ntccXerblog it's at the top hooked to water line that flows water into the pipes in the wall

[@ntccXerblog]

Tay, water flows downhill. So if your valve sits above the tank, you shouldn't need to drain the tank. You do still have to shut off the water supply coming into the valve. Also follow the safety tips, clike utting off nearby electricity and allow hot water to cool before working with the valve. Check the description for more info and good luck.

[@MrDavew402]

I would shut off the water heater first, if draining it. Otherwise it will be heating up without water in it and when you fill it back up, the heating elements will get fresh cold water coming in on the hot empty inside of water heater. Can cause steam and or cracks to happen inside.

[@snemmorcire]

Strangely enough my leaky shut off valve does not appear to have a packing nut.

[@ntccXerblog]

@EricRommens, you may need to replace the whole valve. Good luck. And thanks for commenting.

[@MrJmorra79]

It's a water heater. Not a hot water heater

[@ntccXerblog]

Yup. And in your kitchen you have a toaster. Go figure.

[@MrEeeaddict]

@@ntccXerblog lmaooo