My 1/4 shut off valve still allows a very small amount of water through when turned off. This valve controls a line that I need to disconnect while long term repairs are in effect and it effectively leaks about a gallon a day. I need complete shut off. What do I do to fix this valve (replacement would be a pain since it's in a tight spot).
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2What type of 1/4 turn valve is it (size, service, etc.)? If it is a simple stop valve under an indoor fixture (like a kitchen/bath faucet or toilet) they generally are not serviceable and you will need to replace it.– Jimmy Fix-itApr 21, 2016 at 5:10
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1Can you cap off the line?– ratchet freakApr 21, 2016 at 10:54
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It's under the kitchen sink and it feeds the dishwasher. The kitchen is being renovated and dishwasher was removed until alterations completed. I tried to cap it off but with leaking water it was next to impossible to solder a cap on it and compression fixtures seemed not possible.– GioApr 21, 2016 at 13:17
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Best practice would be to actually replace the valve, but a good stop-gap is routing a supply hose directly into the drain. (Or maybe a bucket if your drain hasn't been opened up.) If it's copper, a sharkbite cap, while expensive, would work (and be removable later).– Aloysius DefenestrateApr 22, 2016 at 2:08
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1/4 turn ball valves have plastic seals at each side of the ball with a hole in it. Many times the valve can be tightened (not the stem) but the end that threads into the body to tighten them up and stop the leak. Not all are built this way but most metal ones are. when you removed the fitting it may have loosened causing the leak.– Ed BealApr 22, 2016 at 18:51
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3 Answers
Get a pipe cap.
This is normal with shut-off valves that are not exercised for many years.
You only really need it to slow down flow enough to change and tighten the connecting piping. Sometimes that's all you can hope for. That said, we've been on a campaign to replace every one in the facility, but it's almost futile - we'll have the same problem again in 30 years.
answered Apr 22, 2016 at 5:59
Harper - Reinstate MonicaHarper - Reinstate Monica
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"1/4 turn ball valves have plastic seals at each side of the ball with a hole in it. Many times the valve can be tightened (not the stem) but the end that threads into the body to tighten them up and stop the leak. Not all are built this way but most metal ones are. when you removed the fitting it may have loosened causing the leak."
I agreed with this. Either the chrome plated ball had pitted and leak or the plastic or brass cup has scratch. If it's too hard to replace the whole, then buy a same unit and exchange only the new gut.
I have the same issue with 2 of 3 valves and the reason I believe is that they are junk. Next time I am going to a plumbing supply store ( not the big box store) and getting a shut off valve, even then your not 100 percent sure that it would not leak. Get a gate valve,at least you can repair them. They look good when you buy them but they are made in China, that should tell you something. But in the meantime get a cap at the big box store and cap it off when you have it disconnected .
