How to repair leaky outdoor water shutoff valve?

[garagejunkie]

Hey guys,

I went to turn on the outdoor water supply for the summer only to find that the valve is dripping. I suspected it would leak because its over 30 years old. The packing nut looks like it has been tightened before, but i think i would much rather replace rather than repack the nut. It is a stop and waste valve. I attached a few images showing what im working with. I'm not sure what to do because the valve is so close to the wall and in tight quarters. Doing a quick search online, others have replaced with a compression valve or soldered in a quarter turn. What do you guys think i should do in this situation and what valve should i put there? Thanks, Kyle

 

[Smooky]

I would attempt a simple fix first. Take it apart and replace the packing first or you might be able to wrap a little Teflon tape around the stem and fix the leak.
https://www.whiteheadindustrial.com...g-rope.aspx?gclid=CPqLxOa8ptMCFYePswodBogHkQ#

If that is not successful, I would cut the valve out and replace it.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-replace-plumbing-shut-valve

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

I recently had a 3/4 multi-turn valve leaking at the stem. I removed the pressure, removed the knob, I remove the packing nut, wrapped a few turns of 3/32 in. Valve Packing string around the base of the stem. I chose the white, which I think is largely PTFE. I restored the packing nut, and the knob. No more leak.

 

[garagejunkie]

Thanks for your replies. I know i could restore the packing nut, but im also looking for a suggestion on how to go about replacing the valve being that its so close to the wall. @Smooky, i actually saw that video before i posted here, but would like further input on the compression fitting vs solder.

 

[garagejunkie]

Update: Shut off the water and restored the packing nut. The handle wouldn't come off so i just opened the valve, loosened the nut and pushed it up as far as i could and then wrapped new graphite packing one and a half times around. I pushed the packing up as much as possible, finger tightened, and then tightened 1/2 turn more with a wrench. Turned on water, no more leak.

I consider this temporary and am still open to suggestions on how to reconfigure the plumbing in that area.

 

[SteveW]

Good fix.

Not sure why you feel you should replace that valve?

 

[garagejunkie]

Good fix.

Not sure why you feel you should replace that valve?

Its old plus im going to replace the old washer gate valves soon in the same room. Wanted to replace it with a quarter turn, but if i don't get any feedback then i might just leave it alone for now.