Old stiff tap and wrong bit moving?

[bunters1976]

Hi

Probably a quick and easy question for someone who knows....

Basically outside tap is very low pressure. Traced pipes back to just above stop cock. There is a isolation tap solely for the outside tap. It's very stiff and will move about a quarter of a turn. The only part that moves is the circular bit as indicated in the photo.

1) should this bit actually move?
2) how can I get the tap to move properly. I've tried dousing it with wd40 overnight but no joy

 

[Burnerman]

That's the gland packing nut - it prevents leakage from around the tap stem.
It can be backed off completely and you wont get a flood - but you will if you undo the big hexagon on the tap body! Back it off, get some WD in there and slowly work the tap by hand....a lever could snap it off and you don't need that.
John

 

[oldbuffer]

1. The part you have indicated is the gland nut. It should not turn except when adjusting the tightness of the gland (which seals the spindle to allow the tap to turn without water coming out).
2. Put a spanner on the hexagonal part below the gland nut to stop the tap from turning and potentially damaging the pipes.
3. Use another spanner or similar lever to move the handle of the tap.
4. It may already be fully open, so try closing it first then opening it.

If it leaks from the gland after you've freed the tap:
a) Close the tap fully.
b) Undo the gland nut.
c) Clean up the spindle as far as you can.
d) make a "string" of PTFE tap by turning a cut length (say 6") between your fingers.
e) Wrap PTFE around spindle below gland nut, push gland nut over PTFE and tighten.
f) If it doesn't work the first time, try again with more PTFE.

 

[bunters1976]

Thanks guys for the comprehensive answers. I'll have another go using your advice

 

[terryplumb]

maybe the pic is misleading , but the tap head looks too close to the wall to be able to turn 360 degrees .it also looks as though it has marks on it where someone has had grips to try in the past to free /turn it. did your outside tap have historically good pressure and has now become weaker ? if so I would suspect the outside tap not the indoor one ,which probably hasn't moved in years.