What happens if you over pack a valve?
Excessive torque (causing excessive stress on the packing) will result in high valve stem friction and premature packing failure. The latter scenario is what one usually finds in industrial settings, where well-intentioned but uninformed personnel over-tighten valve packing in an effort to prevent leaks.
Which is the best way to pack a valve?
A completely different approach to packing is a device called a bellows seal: an accordion-like metal tube fastened to the valve stem and to the bonnet, forming a leak-proof seal with negligible friction. The accordion ribs give the bellows seal an ability to stretch and compress with a sliding stem’s linear motion.
Can You repack a street valve with water?
You can repack the stem with the water on, but you’ll get some water spray once you loosen the packing nut, so move anything you care about away from the meter area. Most old valves have rust and mineral deposits in the gate valve’s receiving groove. That crud can jam the gate and damage the valve. Gently close the valve (don’t force it).
How do you seal a street side valve?
Wrap one wind of stem packing rope around the stem. Tighten the packing nut and open the valve. If it still leaks, back off the packing nut and add a few more winds of packing rope. If the street-side valve at your water meter has been leaking, you don’t have to pay the utility to come out and shut off the water so you can fix it.
Excessive torque (causing excessive stress on the packing) will result in high valve stem friction and premature packing failure. The latter scenario is what one usually finds in industrial settings, where well-intentioned but uninformed personnel over-tighten valve packing in an effort to prevent leaks.
Do you need to pack a water shut off valve?
Yes. White teflon packing string is preferred. And yes, if your faucet has a washer under the packing nut, it should be taken to the store and matched up to a replacement. Thanks! What if the main water shut off valve is leaking? Then you have to have to turn the water off at the street.
A completely different approach to packing is a device called a bellows seal: an accordion-like metal tube fastened to the valve stem and to the bonnet, forming a leak-proof seal with negligible friction. The accordion ribs give the bellows seal an ability to stretch and compress with a sliding stem’s linear motion.
Wrap one wind of stem packing rope around the stem. Tighten the packing nut and open the valve. If it still leaks, back off the packing nut and add a few more winds of packing rope. If the street-side valve at your water meter has been leaking, you don’t have to pay the utility to come out and shut off the water so you can fix it.
