A leaking water shut off valve is not one of the most common problems that you’ll run into with your home plumbing systems, but it can be one of the most troubling.

For instance, the first step in any guide to repairing leaky pipes is that you should shut of the main water valve for your home. However, is this valve is the problem, then where do you start?

Fortunately, there is another valve, the municipal shut off valve, which comes before your household shutoff valve, and controls the flow of water to the latter. The municipal valve delineates the line between municipal plumbing and household plumbing, and will be located on your home plumbing line between your municipal water meter and your home. You may have to dig around a bit to find it, but it should be located immediately next to the meter.

Once you’ve shut off the municipal meter, you can go about actually repairing the leaking water shut off valve, which isn’t too difficult a proposition. The cause of the leaking water shut off valve is typically with the packing nut, which is visible immediately behind the handle, or with the packing washer, which isn’t visible, as its hidden underneath the nut.

First try tightening the nut, as this is the cause of many problems with the valve. If this doesn’t stop the leak, then the problem is with the washer. Take off the handle from the valve stem, then loosen the packing nut. The washer is underneath. Slide it off and slip on a new washer. Reassemble the whole contraption, and you leaking water shut off valve should be no more.

If this doesn’t solve your problem, and you’re still dealing with a leaking water shutoff valve, then you may need to call your plumber to help you with the problem. Fortunately, professional plumbing services companies like ADI are available to help you fill all of your plumbing needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.

At ADI Plumbing we provide plumbing Services throughout the South East – This blog post was written for you by our experienced Plumbers who provide Plumbing in Buckinghamshire, just a few of the services they provide are Plumbing in Olney, Plumbers Princes Risborough and Plumbers Wendover.