The shutoff valve is an older one 40+years. I have had good results with wd 40 in the past ....but, is there a better solution. I have penetrating oil and some silicone lube. What would be the better choice. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
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Stuck shutoff valve.
- Thread starter m.breen
- Start date
NUISANCE
Well-known member
Turn off the water and replace it with a new one that costs around $8.
lakelandcat
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2017
- Messages
- 7,327
Turn off the water and replace it with a new one that costs around $8.
I agree, it's time for a new one.
quattro_sinko
Well-known member
Carefully loosen the packing nut just a little and see if the valve will turn. if it does, snug the packing nut back up and shut the valve off. Be careful, and make sure you have towels handy, and a clear path to the main shutoff, if necessary
YMMV
YMMV
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
You should clarify - is it on your house, your car, something else? What is it shutting off? What kind of valve is it?
robalmal
Well-known member
You should clarify - is it on your house, your car, something else? What is it shutting off? What kind of valve is it?
I was wondering this too. The early responders must be mind readers.
Big Bad Dad
Well-known member
Yeah. Try the wd 40 on a stuck 40 year old gate valve in a 4" hot water pipe from a commercial boiler.... LOL
ford33
Well-known member
Maybe it's a gas shut-off valve?
driftpin
Well-known member
Why bother doing anything but replacing it, if it's your home?Who cares what's controlled by it, the valve should be replaced. I used to use sweat-fit for everything, now I use compression ball valves, it makes a change-out much quicker.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Who cares what's controlled by it, the valve should be replaced.
It probably does need to be replaced, but we don't know if it's on his kitchen sink or his space rocket so it's pretty hard to give him solid advice.
driftpin
Well-known member
I cannot resist: "it's not rocket science!
Ya gotta have a functional shutoff valve to save your house if it has a ruptured pipe.
Ya gotta have a functional shutoff valve to save your house if it has a ruptured pipe.
It probably does need to be replaced, but we don't know if it's on his kitchen sink or his space rocket so it's pretty hard to give him solid advice.
metalmagpie
Well-known member
WD-40 is not a very effective penetrating oil. It is really only good at displacing water.
I hate to say it, but put a pipe wrench on the handle and GENTLY turn it. With luck, the gate will crack free. Next time use a 1/4 turn ball valve, and don't buy the cheap one, get the really good one with teflon seats and stainless ball, etc.
metalmagpie
I hate to say it, but put a pipe wrench on the handle and GENTLY turn it. With luck, the gate will crack free. Next time use a 1/4 turn ball valve, and don't buy the cheap one, get the really good one with teflon seats and stainless ball, etc.
metalmagpie
Yeah. Try the wd 40 on a stuck 40 year old gate valve in a 4" hot water pipe from a commercial boiler.... LOL
I have... The cracking noise when it finally moves is nerve racking. This valve was a steam valve on a 6 inch line.