Leaking Kitchen Sink Water Valve

[D45]

I went to get some cleaning supplies and noticed water in the cabinet, under the sink

There was a steady drip coming from the cold water supply valve........no packing nut to tighten

It was not leaking at the handle and was not leaking at the backside compression nut area

It was leaking from the top 3/8" step which the flexible line it connected to...............so I bought and installed and new line. Still leaking........and actually leaking worse

So, I shut out the main water valve in the basement and installed and new 1/4 turn valve under the sink and connected the flex line. Bone dry, no leaks.

I have never seen a water valve fail in this manner at the 3/8" threaded stem area........what failed and why?

No cracks and the threads all looked good.

 

[kbs2244]

Compression washer incorrectly installed.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm actually wondering if there is porosity in the housing and leaking thru the threads & not the compression mating surface . is the "******" part of the main body or has it been added later as in pressed, soldered etc?

 

[D45]

Compression washer incorrectly installed.

It was dry for over 4 years that I lived here........never touched, just started leaking

 

[D45]

I'm actually wondering if there is porosity in the housing and leaking thru the threads & not the compression mating surface . is the "******" part of the main body or has it been added later as in pressed, soldered etc?

It is all once piece

I was thinking for some reason, out of nowhere, the threads cracked

I cant find anything showing a defect in the valve

 

[PFSard]

No clue. Scary. Water damage can be a real PITA. Any idea of the brand of the problem valve?

 

[D45]

Brasscraft

 

[BillK]

Looks like it was leaking right through the casting.

 

[Milton Shaw]

A friend showed me one that was cracked through the threads 3 years after it was installed. Getting more and more **** that should be better.. He had tried a new line and compression ring too before replacing the valve.

 

[rlitman]

The current generation of lead free brass valves are quite brittle. Cracking at the wrench flats is very common. But I could see it cracking at the thread roots too.