Stop cock won't turn

[stevec59]

Hi,
I have just tried to turn my stop cock under the stairs to cut off the water to the house,but it won't turn, is there any way to free it up? I am a bit concerned about trying too hard just in case I break something, will WD 40 do any good?

If not I guess I will need to get a LONG stop cock key and turn off from the street, guess I can get one from Wickes or somewhere, but just don't want the Greif.

Thanks in advance

 

[ChrisR]

The search facility on this forum is poor - only searches on one word - but worth a try because we've answered a few.

Always hold the body of the valve still with a big pair of grips.

1) Be careful if it's lead
2) Be careful if it's lead

3) Try undoing the gland nut (the one round the shaft) half a turn or so
4) Try heating it up. Heat gun, or carefully with a blowlamp. Up to say about 80 (very hot radiator temp), where the gland nut screws in.

 

[big-all]

another little tip

try tightening slightly first to try and break the bond

 

[doitall]

Good tip Big_All

Avoid heat if possible as can make the brass brittle.

Slacken the stuffing box nut, and turn the handle clockwise first, then work it back and forward untill loose

 

[ChrisR]

80º won't make it brittle. Wiggle it certainly! The stuffing box IS the gland seal, by another name. Some folk squirt WD40 or Plusgas in. It depends what's in there whether that does any good or not, but wouldn't do any harm.

 

[stevec59]

Thanks Will give it ago some time (when I get the time!!) and let you know how I get on

Steve

 

[big-all]

Good tip Big_All

in this case i should have said "open a bit first" but you know what i mean

 

[Watchmaker]

If you live in an older type house, and the water main is lead, as advised, do hold the body of the stopcock, very firmly before trying to move the spindle. If the feed continues, from the stopcock, into say, 15mm copper, when you do manage to get the stopcock to turn off, it's worthwhile to fit a modern stopcock further along the pipe. In this way, you will have a good, useable stopcock and the old unit can be left in the open position.

 

[stevec59]

Thanks You-It worked It is copper pipe both sides of the Stop cock, held the stop cock with grips,loosened the nut slightly, then the tap turned..yippee..I will try to remember to turn it once a month.Someone once said to me ..open the stop cock fully, then close half a turn-this is supposed to stop the stop cock getting so you can't turn it, so have done that and will see how it goes.

Thanks again for the help, a lot better than Turning water off outside and replacing..

Steve