Emergency Plumbing - stopcock repair in situ

Рет қаралды 280,515

9 жыл бұрын

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Earlier today I noticed some water on the floor near the kitchen sink so opened the unit and saw a bit of a leak from the main stopcock that controls flow of water from rising main into the house. Water was dripping from the gland seal. Unfortunately since this is the main way of turning off the water supply* I couldn't isolate the actual stopcock which ironically is the isolating valve for the cold water supply. So as this was an emergency repair I had to use PTFE tape which is a product that everyone should have in their toolkit.
Anyway - to carry out emergency repair;
Turn off the stopcock and remove handle by unscrewing the cross-head screw in the end of shaft.
Loosen off the gland seal retainer collar. The leak will worsen so put some old rags around it to mop up spills.
Try to extract the old gland packing which is either rubber, fibre or leather. If the tap is in awkward place or the old seal is rock hard and too tight to remove, you then have to wrap several turns of PTFE tape around the shaft as near to the gland seal as possible.
Now using a flat screwdriver and carefully push the tape right down into the gland seal (or what's left of it)
Now install the gland seal retainer collar and tighten it up.
Now turn on the stopcock or tap/faucet and check for leaks. Ideally the old seal/packing is removed first but in the real world that sometimes doesn't happen. If there's still no leaks after a few hours then chances are you've fixed the problem. This is a 'temporary repair' so ultimately you will have to fit a new stopcock/tap/valve at some point. A useful tip is to regularly cycle any water supply valves, taps etc fully open and closed to keep them from sticking open or shut. Do this twice a year. Taps tend to seize more when they are fully open so it's good practice to open them fully then back them off half a turn so the internal valve seat isn't hard against the end stops.
*If the main water supply stop valve is leaking you'll either need a pipe freezing kit or hope there is a main water supply cut-off along with the water meter or supply from the mains water. Worth making a note of where the stopcocks and other valves are located on your property.

Пікірлер: 164

@fontybits 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent tip, thanks! Here's a tip I was given back in 1975 by the best plumber I've ever known: If you're concerned as to whether you've done a good DIY plumbing job, just place toilet tissue/paper towel under the joints you've made, and check them over the next day or two to see if they're still dry. After a plumber in Cambridge did a job for me, I placed tissue under the fittings. Within 10 minutes the tissue was soaked. I then tightened the joints up MYSELF, and used the tissue paper to monitor MY work. Perfect!

@neiltitmus9744 2 жыл бұрын

Blue rolls better as you wil, see it very easy, usual just use finger though

@Beenz75 5 жыл бұрын

I had a small leak from the exact same place as yours and after following your instructions was able to repair it! I would never have risked doing all that without seeing how it was done first, so thanks!

@leeknight4744 Жыл бұрын

I couldn't turn off the house supply and had a drip from the rising main stopcock. The drip was leaking 2 litres per hour! Nightmare! Watched your video twice and followed what you said to the letter. Problem solved in about a minute. Thank you so much. I am in your debt. 👍👍👍

@TK42138 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad it helped. Happy to help people save money

@FW. 6 жыл бұрын

Just fixed my stopcock leak following your video step-by-step! - cheers 👍

@kevt9292 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for sharing this tip, I have just repaired a stopcock, using your method, in almost the same position as the one you show. All done and dry so far!

@abscomm 6 жыл бұрын

1) You don't need to turn off the water before you do this. 2) You don't need to remove the handle or the packing nut although it does make it slightly easier if you can. 3) You wound the ptfe tape the wrong way. Apart from those little things, great video.

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

John Jones Well done - you spotted the deliberate mistake. You get full marks. 😉

@stephencaulfield7618 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a million - the video was super helpful - followed the instructions - and looking good so far + I had switched off the mains water supply outside the house at the end of the driveway beforehand. Funnily enough I noticed LochSween's comment in the video comments about leaving kitchen towel underneath the tightened nut/joint to check the work for any additional leaks, had done this already but love the tip.

@flingshitehigh 6 жыл бұрын

Just fixed a leaking tap in my attic ..many thanks to you

@arizonagirl5587 8 жыл бұрын

You sir are a star, we woke up this morning to find this very problem xxx

@msamways4720 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, you've saved me a call to an emergency plumber. I'll need to get the stopcock replaced but the temporary fix has worked well for now.

@TK42138 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad it helped.

@markhirst4029 7 жыл бұрын

I think this was a fantastic piece of advise. Helped me no end. Many thanks

@hoffy1888 5 жыл бұрын

These are the kind of things you need to learn when you buy a house or a car. Great vid. Just followed instruction today and will monitor the leak and let you know how i get on. Cheers

@Howie57 2 жыл бұрын

i havent got a stop cock like that on my car

@tonyhughes27 8 жыл бұрын

I use string covered with Boss White jointing compound, but its the same practice and thanks for a good video with sound advice

@aro-rat Жыл бұрын

Thanks, this is amazing, so there are 2 threads, one at the base and the one you took off. Great job and a life saver.

@drewshrigley1088 Жыл бұрын

Just fixed my valve using your tip it worked great thank you.water stopped dripping now

@LOTPOR0402 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent bit of information easy to do and it works.Thankyou saved a load of greef as I do not know where the main isolator is

@Chanesmyname 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much for this video, we had a really slow, slow weep on that valve and I had no idea how to fix it until I saw this. Star.

@grahamburley2157 4 жыл бұрын

Works a treat. Thanks for posting the video.

@MaximusJohal 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks i've been living with a stupid leaking pipe for over 14 years each time i tighten the nut, as British GAs have done THIS everytime i called them out.

@miyynxxx 8 жыл бұрын

thank you sooooo much... this saved me £128 for a plumber...

@pklongutoobe 8 жыл бұрын

You should hold the body of the stopcock with a tool when doing up the gland nut otherwise you are putting pressure on the pipe joints and you *really* don't want them to fail.

@TC-uq1rc 3 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. I’ll be trying this soon. Thanks.

@steves1460 4 ай бұрын

Long time ago now, but I felt your pain and we’ve all had those kind of days!

@ianbonnypitlad397 9 ай бұрын

Thanks, I thought it was an excellent video, I’ve watched many videos on how to repack a stopcock gland. My outside isolator is seized, you’re the only one to confirm the gland can be replaced if the stopcock is in the closed position What’s with all the criticism from “ professional plumbers”, not every situation is ideal with the best tools available, they’re probably pi**ed because they’re losing out on £120 “call out charges” Thanks again

@TK42138 9 ай бұрын

Many thanks for commenting. In an ideal world I would have replaced the complete stopcock but at the time of the video there was a 750kg bulk bags of ballast and MOT type1 sitting over the water meter stop valve outside the house.

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

3 years since I made this emergency repair and it's still holding - which is just as well because it's in an awkward position to get to.

@TribalSpacemanTV 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I'm going to give this a go today. Unfortunately mine doesn't have a screw on the end so I'll try and find a way around it.

@Hales57 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your advice, followed your instructions job done😀

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

MyTimken Glad it helped, thanks for watching.

@thomasedward9065 7 жыл бұрын

I did this trick works a treat cheers

@kitasaunders 4 жыл бұрын

Worked for me today Thanks 👍

@ianroughley1933 7 жыл бұрын

Life saver thank you :)

@neilcrawford8303 6 жыл бұрын

If you are going to freeze the pipe to facilitate dismantling the stopcock, get another new stopcock first. Take the head/guts from the body, then swap it with your in situ one. Minimal time then. As you say, you have good water pressure. I wouldn't want to be around if an ice plug failed while the old S/C was in pieces and you were working on it. Stop cocks are usually to BS1010, your poly to copper one clearly is, it's cast on the body of the valve. I had to change the body of a S/C live once. Never again. The flow and pressure were amazing. Mind you, it wasn't far from Hampton water works and pumping station.

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

Neil Crawford Cheers, I'll give that a go if it starts dripping again. The water pressure here is good too.

@nicam49 Жыл бұрын

I LIKE this idea! 👍

@elliotcooper3955 Жыл бұрын

Nice gland to work with hasn’t been rounded off and butchered by others over the years

@neiltitmus9744 2 жыл бұрын

Take 2 foot of ptfe roll it on your leg intoma string grease the shaft put 6 turns around the shaft push the gland in to pack after 3 turns turns should be clockwise carefully replace the gland without cross threadding this will also cut the tape off

@garywateridge 28 күн бұрын

very nice job,great information,feel confident to do this job now

@TK42138 28 күн бұрын

Just ensure any PTFE tape is wrapped clockwise around the threads so it doesn't get snagged as the gland nut is tightened. I did this in a rush and wrapped it the wrong way. Still worked though.

@richardyap2117 8 жыл бұрын

great video.

@johncalveley6996 5 жыл бұрын

Advice from an eighty five year old plumber. The reason the tap was stiff to turn off. Too much PTFE and you went spanner happy on the gland. It's not necessary to tighten it down all the way. J. Calveley..

@TK42138 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for advice, however at the time of the video, it was an emergency repair to a very worn tap that couldn't be isolated due to seized main water meter stopcock and a 750 kg bag of builders sand dumped on it from a delivery. Originally I did try and nip up the gland nut but it still leaked hence the ptfe tape.

@fionnan2811happy 7 жыл бұрын

also when squeezing a gland nut.. it should be done when the 332 valve is halfway open. Stop cocks are much heavier brass and have a different code number and need a key to turn them off. You can buy a clamp to clamp the wavin pipe under the unit if that's what was used which it should I hope for you. But the clamps are available online and won't damage the pipe. very handy. also with the pressure u have freezing might not be an option as u need at least 8 inches of frozen pipe to be able to work on mains pipe. Gravity is different. Hope this is a help. Google wavin pipe clamps and you'll be sorted.

@vistron888 8 жыл бұрын

Maybe a couple of wraps of PTFE on the gland thread as well. Cool vid.

@mattbridge6925 2 жыл бұрын

@josephdexplosivejoe581 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@fionnan2811happy 7 жыл бұрын

also I use a fiber washer. lasts for years. 8 so far

@samsylani7527 5 жыл бұрын

I have the same problem, I'll try this and give a feedback

@hoffy1888 5 жыл бұрын

Whata the feedback

@telabib 8 жыл бұрын

excellent

@user-yw6qb9tt7t Жыл бұрын

Great video. 👍

@TK42138 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. Unfortunately the shelf didn't slide out as it was glued and screwed together by the kitchen fitters when it was built.

@joe2mercs 6 жыл бұрын

An ‘o’ ring that is a snug fit to the shaft and lubricated with silicone grease works well. Putting PTFE tape on the retaining nut threads ensures a complete seal

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

joseph prosser Good idea.

@fionnan2811happy 7 жыл бұрын

going the wrong direction with the PTFE. always go same direction as the way u are threading. good idea anyways.

@88Erank 3 жыл бұрын

I closed my rising main valve - tap. Tightened the gland and all sorted :) job a gooden

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately I had a 750kg bulk bag of ballast on the main valve outside the house so couldn't isolate the rising main. That'll teach me to have building materials delivered when at work.

@88Erank 3 жыл бұрын

TK42138 I mean the isolation valve you worked in here I worked on mine. I just closed the valve and tightened the gland and stopped the leak ( opened the valve back up obv )

@spiverine 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve got a leak which my wife’s told me about this morning after I got to work. Had her turn the tap off over the weekend so I could put on a new garden tap. I’m hoping this works for me and it’s the gland issue. But why did u have to stop the rising main valve to tighten the gland

@spiverine 3 жыл бұрын

John Kilcoyne so all u did was stop that tap and then tighten the gland

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

@@spiverine I had to use PTFE tape as the gland seal was getting tired. Since I couldn't isolate the rising main from water meter, I had to carry out emergency repair. There was a bulk bag of ballast on the water meter access point so couldn't turn off water to replace the stopcock. Tightening the gland seal will work up to a point but over the years they get hard and can crumble so there comes a point where tightening will no longer work - hence use of PTFE tape.

@euouteuout6321 8 жыл бұрын

you only have to losen off the nut & pack out once done spray with WD40

@secretsplumbing9456 7 жыл бұрын

Good luck

@kolbalio7856 8 жыл бұрын

Hi TK, great video and I'm going to try this tomorrow as we have exactly the same leak! One thing I wondered being a multitool fan, were you using a Leatherman Rebar in this video? If so is it any good? Specifically if the plier cutters are good as I've used some before that jam up being bypass cutters 👍🏻

@TK42138 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, the Leatherman is a 'Super Tool' original from mid 90's. Owned since new. Has proved its worth countless times. The stopcock as seen in the video is in a really awkward position due to proximity to walls of the kitchen unit which meant I couldn't get the old gland seal out. At some point I will need to replace it but I'll have to make sure the main stop valve at the water meter can be turned off.

@nasir_glasgow5274 9 жыл бұрын

hello thanks for video ,could you do some more plumbing related common repairs in situ to keep them real

@TK42138 9 жыл бұрын

Nasir Khalil Will do. Have noticed the kitchen sink mono tap leaking so I will be videoing the process of removing the seals as soon as I can.

@nasir_glasgow5274 9 жыл бұрын

Cool✌

@tigertrucker3971 5 жыл бұрын

Good tip when you turned it off was to count how many turns it took,then same when you put back on

@TK42138 5 жыл бұрын

With stopcocks and similar valves, I open them fully then back it off a half turn to prevent seat getting stuck in position.

@marilynperks6111 8 жыл бұрын

Hi, you mentioned roughing pipe end before using push fittings. I've never heard that one before except on chrome pipe, as it is harder for the grab ring to bite into. How would this help stop a fitting blowing off?

@TK42138 8 жыл бұрын

New copper pipe tends to have a shiny smooth surface which makes it harder for pushfits to grip if there is good water pressure behind the fitting. The surface only needs a light sanding before using pushfits or speedfit.

@richgoo 4 жыл бұрын

I need a tap (and screw) to fit on to the end shown at 4:07 in this video. The end bit is about 6 mm x 9 mm, is this standard? Could I buy any stopcock piece, unscrew the tap handle and attach it to mine? Thank you.

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

Should be a standard fit.

@hoffy1888 5 жыл бұрын

Well its been over 2 weeks and still no leak for me with these tips.. Fingers crossed it lasts for years to come .

@briananderson3799 5 жыл бұрын

My neighbor filled the shared stop cock pit in. And now grows rhubarb over it.

@loafersheffield 6 жыл бұрын

Find the mains water authority stop tap in the street or on the driveway and turn it off there. If this too is seized up, then the water authority need to come and fix it. That is if you can actually locate the mwast! Sometimes hard landscapers pave over them on driveways. (Rolls eyes!) Beware of shared stop taps and irate neighbours though. Looks like this one comes in on mdpe and as such the water authority tap is not shared.

@loafersheffield 6 жыл бұрын

An example of this idiocy first minute of this video.kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bNV4gc6Zrd-oips.html

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

+loafer sheffield Luckily my one isn't shared but it does currently have 3/4 ton bag of ballast sitting over the cover. Typical.

@loafersheffield 6 жыл бұрын

Sods law.. typical.. sounds about right! (LOL) Thanks for subscribing btw.

@laurencefeeney1661 7 жыл бұрын

seems like you wrapped the ptfe wrong way round

@TK42138 7 жыл бұрын

Laurence Feeney I'm glad you noticed that...ahem.

@manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069 7 жыл бұрын

Laurence Feeney you goon ptfe will stop it until late you work it again.Try hemp much much better.

@SRTHEATINGANDGAS 6 жыл бұрын

Glen Stevens is hemp allowed on mains water?

@neilcrawford8303 6 жыл бұрын

Hemp isn't allowed on potable water services. It's organic and can harbour bacteria, likewise with boss/hawk white which have linseed oil in them. Hence PTFE (plumbers tape for everything!) tape and liquid, or Boss Blue. Still okay to use Boss White and hemp on heating connections. That joint will be fine. I've used PTFE string (tape I've twisted betweem my fingers) on packing glands. Holds fine, and never removed the old packing material first. It's only a wadding that's being compressed by the nut and so spreads and fills the void and makes a tights seal around the stopcock shaft.

@marksmith5977 4 жыл бұрын

@@neilcrawford8303 At last, someone who know what he is talking about.

@redseantlworld 4 жыл бұрын

Isn't there a similar size rubber washer to do the job?

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

Yes but I didn't have one at the time.

@neiltitmus9744 2 жыл бұрын

If you turn it off outside you may be able to put a new internal in the old body adepending on age

@TK42138 2 жыл бұрын

I ended up calling out Cambridgeshire Water and they managed to shut off the water meter main valve after a bit of effort. Hadn't been touched since early 2000's.

@chylton5476 2 жыл бұрын

We have a leak in a similar place on our stopcock. If we were to invite a plumber to replace the whole section, rather than patch it up, would the plumber be able to turn the water off from the mains on our front drive to do that? Or is it something that someone from the water board would have to do themselves?

@TK42138 2 жыл бұрын

Plumber should be able to turn the water off. If your property is supplied via a water meter then there will be a main valve/stopcock on the water meter and the meter will be located on your property boundary. Worth noting you are allowed to turn off your own supply and it's useful to know where it is - just in case the house stopcock needs work. If the water meter valve is seized up and the plumber can't or won't touch it then contact your water company for example 'Anglia Water' as even though the meter will be on your property, they are responsible for the actual function of the meter, the valve and the supply pipe To the meter. Everything after the water meter to the property is your responsibility.

@bladeboy2041 Жыл бұрын

If you don't know you have a leak like this and it's left unfixed the damage it can cause if considerable.

@TK42138 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely - water has a habit of travelling quite some distance from the source of the leak over time and if any kitchen units are the type that rest directly on the floor, the chipboard soaks up the water and swells and are basically ruined.

@soapyvanshoey3179 4 жыл бұрын

I have a weird problem i have turned off the three stop cocks in my house and turned on all my tap to get the excess water away but my bath mixer tap is still dribbling water from the cold tap and the cold tap from my bathroom sink and kitchen sink have no water dribbling out of them any ideas

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

It may be the bath cold feed isn't from rising main but fed from cold tank in the loft. If so, perhaps stop valve from cold tank to bath tap hasn't fully seated?

@jonmichael1515 Жыл бұрын

I’ve got this issue but it’s still leaking when the tap is closed. Can’t get access to the mains outside to shut the feed off, so am I fine to do this method under these circumstances? Thanks

@TK42138 Жыл бұрын

Yes but it's still classed as a temporary repair until either the tap or gland seal is replaced. Don't over-tighten the seal nut as it's brass.

@jbaillie01 8 жыл бұрын

You don't actually need to remove the end part for the tap. I couldn't anyway due to dam waste pipe

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

At the time it was a bit of a nightmare. I couldn't separate the main valve body or isolate the stopcock or even access the water main stop valve on the meter due to bulk bag of ballast sitting on the access cover. Couldn't even get a freeze kit on the pipe from where it poked through under the unit.

@claudiojunior9618 3 жыл бұрын

Put the ptfe clockwise.

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

Well spotted. 👍

@ChristianBHough 5 жыл бұрын

Rough up the end of the pipe, what are you on about?

@TK42138 5 жыл бұрын

I was describing what happened when we booked a local plumber to fit a new sink and taps and he used pushfits on shiny copper pipe. The pushfits failed to bite on the pipe and few days later the cold feed let go causing the kitchen to flood. I don't like pushfits and certainly not on systems with good water pressure.

@deanmiles8421 2 жыл бұрын

Ptfe is supposed to be put on clockwise

@TK42138 2 жыл бұрын

Well done, you spotted the deliberate mistake. 😉

@timothyhadley1211 7 жыл бұрын

Freeze it with a kit and replace it with a freezing kit. Then replace the valve completely.

@TK42138 7 жыл бұрын

Timothy Hadley There's not much room between where the rising main pipe comes through the floor and base of the sink unit. Hoping there's enough pipe to wrap freezing jacket around it.

@charliemitchell982 7 жыл бұрын

You can isolate it from outside drive.

@TK42138 7 жыл бұрын

Funny you mention that, I just opened the cover to the water meter and the main isolating valve won't budge. Probably not been turned since '99.

@SeaUsername 5 жыл бұрын

not when you live in a flat

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

Our water pressure is like a fire hydrant. 😆

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

@James Busby We had similar problem with a new bathroom - new with eco type dual flush toilet and the fill valve split due to water pressure. Regarding WD40 - definitely not advised for rubber seals - My background is automotive and WD40 was frowned on (along with Copper grease). Red rubber grease or similar rubber/plastic safe products were used.

@lifeisgood3386 8 ай бұрын

Why did you not put the ptfe tape round the gland nut threads as i seen plumbers do all you did was rap it around the shaft !!!

@TK42138 8 ай бұрын

Because it was leaking from the tap stem where it passes through the hollow gland nut - not the actual threads.

@davehunter6920 3 жыл бұрын

surely winding on the wrong way?

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, guilty as charged 😆

@HereIsWhatISaw 4 жыл бұрын

I have a blue plastic tap with a red button on it, in a cupboard near my kitchen sink. Is it a stopcock and what's the red button for?

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

Certainly sounds like a stopvalve from your description. Can you see where the pipe goes to? Remote stopcock or stop valves can be push button on the valve itself but there's also the type that have a separate remote push switch usually mounted somewhere in the sink cupboard and a tube linking the actual valve.

@HereIsWhatISaw 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, thanks for the reply, Here is a link kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qM6Yetli0p-lnGw.html

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

@@HereIsWhatISaw It looks like it could be a stopcock but I've not seen a speedfit type plastic valve used before. Only one way to find out. Put cold tap on and turn the valve slowly and see if flow starts reducing.

@HereIsWhatISaw 4 жыл бұрын

@@TK42138 Thanks, I will try that on Friday (day off in case I need to call emergency plumber). In the meantime, what might the red button be for?

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

@@HereIsWhatISaw I think you have to press the red button before the valve can be turned. I'm guessing it's an interlock to stop the valve being knocked and turned accidentally.

@pauloglockshuber6355 3 жыл бұрын

I didn't understanding very the video, what I do is just tight the nut and the leak stop, done that hundreds of times and worked every time .

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

In my example, the gland seal had gone hard and just tightening the nut didn't stop the dripping so had to add the PTFE tape as an emergency repair. At the time I couldn't replace the stopcock or use pipe freezing kit because the mains supply to the house couldn't be accessed.

@pauloglockshuber6355 3 жыл бұрын

TK42138 thanks

@hassemsadiq 7 жыл бұрын

wouldnt it be better to remove the tap where it meats with the orange disc and put a new one instead of packing it in stiffer to turn and you dont even need to take the whole assembly out good temporary fix

@TK42138 7 жыл бұрын

Mohammed Sadiq Good point however in this example, the main stopcock leading into the house from the water meter on the property was seized which meant rising main couldn't be isolated to repair the house stopcock. Not sure if a pipe freezing kit would work because the water pressure is very good.

@manofkentcatapultsgunsando5069 6 жыл бұрын

emigrate Your right mate .Hemp every time and it lasts forever not like ptfe that goes loose and works its way out only to leak again.

@frankplacido6656 6 жыл бұрын

Infinity vidz help the helpless 9

@markusass Жыл бұрын

These things really are the proverbial pain in the arse, especially in hard water areas.

@TK42138 Жыл бұрын

Our water seems to have increased in hardness over the last few years too.

@simonjackson5941 3 жыл бұрын

Hi TK. I have a stop cock where the the handle has sheared off. I’ve tried turning it with mole grips but it keeps slipping. Another problem is that the tap is about 2 feet in the ground. Is there anyway of adapting the tap so that it can be operated before its repaired permanently? Many thanks in advance

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

Does the sheared end still have enough of the spindle to fit another handle on it or did it shear because it's utterly seized up?

@simonjackson5941 3 жыл бұрын

@@TK42138 Yes the full spindle is still there. It snapped right under the handle. The top of the spindle is round. Tried turning it with mole grips without success

@TK42138 3 жыл бұрын

Squirt some WD40 or preferably Plusgas where the spindle enters the tap body. Give the end of the spindle a gentle tap with a hammer (but don't go mad on it), have a tea break while the Plusgas hopefully gets to work and then try the molegrips again.

@RealGeorg3 2 жыл бұрын

I am in a similar situation. The end of the spindle is chewed up and I suspect that it's been left in a partially shut position for years. I'll be attempting to give it a wiggle with some molegrips at the weekend. The plusgas is a good idea.

@TK42138 2 жыл бұрын

Good luck.

@LeeTanczos 8 жыл бұрын

ah ok, thought you were a plumber!

@TK42138 8 жыл бұрын

No - but many years ago I decided to read up as much as I could on the subject and DIY in general. Did some evening classes etc and been doing my own plumbing ever since.

@krayzkev 7 жыл бұрын

Just wrap a tee towel around it….

@TK42138 7 жыл бұрын

+Jim Dandy 😁

@patrickfoley4990 6 жыл бұрын

You hid the procedure as you were doing it.

@TK42138 6 жыл бұрын

+Patrick Foley Bit tight for space in the cupboard to get everything in shot.

@charleseaster216 Жыл бұрын

Can't see nothing with that tissue in the way

@bikerjon153 4 жыл бұрын

John Wayne school of plumbing

@TK42138 4 жыл бұрын

At the time I didn't have much choice. 750kg bulk bag of builders sand sitting on the access cover for the watermeter stopvalve so couldn't turn that off to change the stopcock under the sink. Moral of the story is never have building materials delivered when one isn't at home 😆