Leaking pipe beneath sink (screw).

[Agincourt]

Hello, first time homeowner here and my first DIY job gone wrong.

I aimed to fix a dripping tap on the kitchen sink and when looking for the water shut-off tap/valve I noticed a hole in the wood which formed the back of the cupboard and this hole made access to a screw on a pipe. Curiosity led me to turn it and water came out in a spurt. I screwed it back and the water stoppedbut now I've noticed that it doesn't stop dripping from there either, though I've triedtightening it.

It's a metal pipe that has two nut-like parts (forgive my descriptions) and this screw-head lies in between the nuts.

Can anyone please suggest what it is and how I stop it from leaking? I've since turned the water off and I haven't kept screwing it until it stops for fear of damaging it or a washer of some sort.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I take it that you mean you turned an isolation valve.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/32802/Plumbing/Brassware/Flowflex-Isolating-Valve-Pk10

When in line with the pipe work they let the water flow.
When horizontal to the pipework, no flow from tap.

These sometimes leak when not in either position.

Andy

 

[Agincourt]

That looks like it, cheers. Going to go and try it now. Should it spin all the way round though as mine does? I would have expected something like that to only allow a quarter turn, like the valve for washing machine access.

Thanks anyway, I'll post back if that works.

 

[Agincourt]

It worked instantly. Many thanks! I feel like a bit of an idiot now but when water is flying out I guess you can panic. Anyway, thanks again. If I have any more issues I'll come back.

 

[HERTS P&D]

It worked instantly. Many thanks! I feel like a bit of an idiot now but when water is flying out I guess you can panic. Anyway, thanks again. If I have any more issues I'll come back.

We are only on here to help, glad you sorted it.

Andy

 

[Agincourt]

Just noticed that the hot tap is not working now (i only checked the cold at the time as I had turned my water supply off). Could this be because I have turned the screw to the upright position? I don't know what this valve is designed to do so again, please excuse my ignorance.

 

[Burnerman]

These are isolator valves, that allow you to work on the taps without draining your water down.
The screwdriver slot - if its across the axis (length) of the valve, its off - if its in line with the valve, its on. Only turn them one quarter of a turn.
John

 

[Agincourt]

Thanks for the reply. If I've turned it vertically then I presume that's the hot pipe. But that was leaking when it's turned. I take it that shouldn't do that so is it broken do you think? (I accept you can't say for sure if you're not there)

 

[BingoBongo]

Thanks for the reply. If I've turned it vertically then I presume that's the hot pipe. But that was leaking when it's turned. I take it that shouldn't do that so is it broken do you think? (I accept you can't say for sure if you're not there)

yes they can leak from the screw,get it changed when you can

 

[Agincourt]

Is the screw head just that? A means to turn a valve. Or does it physically screw out all the way and that's how you replace it?

Basically, do I need an entire isolation valve?

 

[Burnerman]

Some of these isolators have a spring beneath the screw....these are the leaky types. However, you may get lucky by turning the screw to and fro a few degrees - without depressing it. This often contains the leak.
John

 

[Burnerman]

The screw will never undo - it just spins round and round.
Check out what you need from the Screwfix catalogue - the complete valve costs next to nowt and are easy to replace. You can also get them with a plastic turn handle.
John

 

[Agincourt]

Sorted it. Put it horizontally and I've got hot water now. If it isn't anything other than pretty much perfectly horizontal or vertical then it leaks. Annoying but at least I know how it works now. Cheers all!

 

[WabbitPoo]

which proves it is knackered, as it is supposed to be closed in that position!

Glad you have it sorted for now but put it on your list of things to do for some time. ie replace.