stop tap problem

[kazakman]

internal stop tap from mains supply is leaking. I have tried to tighten but still slowly leaking... what can i do.. the tap is fitted to an old lead pipe.. any ideas??

 

[kevplumb]

turn off the supply outside and replace it

 

[ChrisR]

Or freeze it.
If its the gland seal leaking, undo the nut completely, dig out whatever comes out easily, wrap twisted (so string-like) ptfe tape into the space where the nut was and do up the nut

 

[doitall]

turn off the supply outside and replace it

Not many plumbers can wipe a joint nowadays, let alone an diy man/woman

 

[kevplumb]

 

[silverback]

You wouldn't need to wipe a joint, they usually have a brass ferrel wiped in, to make the connection to the stopcock, should just be a straight swap

 

[jimdoodson]

Or freeze it.
If its the gland seal leaking, undo the nut completely, dig out whatever comes out easily, wrap twisted (so string-like) ptfe tape into the space where the nut was and do up the nut

Don't forget if you are replacing the packing gland with plumbers hessian/string or twisted PTFE,wrap it around the spindle anti-clockwise.
Jim Whittaker
AKA "The Friendly Plumber"

 

[doitall]

You wouldn't need to wipe a joint, they usually have a brass ferrel wiped in, to make the connection to the stopcock, should just be a straight swap

Got to think some more on this, from memory all the lead stopcocks were wiped straight into the lead.

Cap and linings were used as tap connectors, and I can honestly say I've wiped thousands of them

 

[ChrisR]

JIm - I do it clockwise!

It seems to me most old stop cocks have an extended tail to wipe onto.
If you can hold the lead still and unscrew the valve parts you can sometimes refurb , or replace with the bits from a British made SC which has female threads on. With luck the threads are the same.

 

[doitall]

Thats how I remember them as well Chris, also getting them in bits can be a nightmare, (cant use heat)

I would not be comfortable trying unless the outside SC was holding.

Far better to fit another valve and leave the old one in place