How to fix a stuck water shut-off valve in less than 2 minutes.
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The dishwasher started leaking over the weekend.I turned off the water in the basement because it was a standard faucet type.
The rubber hose that feeds water to the dishwasher had sprung a leak, so I replaced it.
I realized that the valve wasn't opening when I tried to turn on the water.I've turned it many times, but no water is flowing.
Is it possible that when I turned off the water, I stripped the thread, broke a washer, and stopped it from opening?
How can I fix this?Is it possible to turn off the water, remove the packing nut, and replace the valve on a normal faucet?
The valve looks something like this: http://i.ehow.com/images/a06/6q/tm/plumbing-water-stop-valve-installation-200X200.
I'm wondering if I can just remove the handle, empty the body, and replace the contents with a new valve, since it's broken anyways.I don't have to sell the whole thing.
It sounds like it's a regular gate valve.You might be able to repair it by removing the packing nut and replacing it with something else.
The only exception to that would be a ball type valve with a handle that only makes a quarter turn.Those aren't repairable, but they almost never fail either.
I would replace the gate valve with a good ball valve.Gate valves are prone to seize up from lack of use.I had one that broke in my hand when I tried to turn it off.Ball valves are more reliable.
Gate valves control the flow of water.The gate is about 1/2 inch thick.The thread on the shaft is turned by the handle.The threads on the shaft break and no longer raise or lower the gate.The larger nut below the packing nut can be used to remove the handle, shaft and gate valve.This is a standard part for all 1/2 inch copper pipe shut off gate valves.He should be able to purchase another gate valve and just replace his entire handle, shaft, and valve asst.