Are washers still available for this valve ?

SteamHeat

Please excuse me if this is a silly question, but are replacement washers for this valve still available, or do I need to ask my pro to replace the entire valve ?

pecmsg

Have you tried tightening the packing nut a little?

pedmec

Depends on the size of the washer. Most plumbers carry washer kits but they only go up to a certain size. The place that i would get oversized washers from closed. My guess is you can find the washer but you have to do some searching.

Big Ed_4

Hmm... Looks like a gate valve positioned the right way . A gate valve uses a brass tapered gate attached to the shaft of the shaft with a worm gear . Don't over tighten

retiredguy

That valve may be a gate valve as @Big Ed 4 said and if it is it may still be in near perfect shape. If the only problem is a leak at the stem, try tightening the packing nut just a little. If that doesn't stop the leak you can add a little packing or repack the valve and it will be better than the new crap you buy today.

Big Ed_4

May be best to remove handle and packing nut . clean out and repack with teflon tape unless you have granite packing . Don't over tighten and break nut ...

bburd

Finding a washer to fit that should not be difficult if you have a nearby plumbing supply place in an area with old homes.

SteamHeat

Thanks everyone. The valve is used as a cutoff to an outdoor garden hose bib.
The leak at the stem seems to seal a while after the valve is opened or closed so I am not worried right now about the ooze at the stem. Maybe later I will have to eat my words.

What I am worried about is that the valve must be tightened more than I am comfortable with to completely stop the flow of water to the outdoor valve in the winter. I got it closed enough to avoid a rupture in the hose bib in the winter, but I worry what will happen the next time the cutoff is opened. I would like to have my pro change the washer before a disaster, but I was wondering if they were even still available since it is so old.

bburd

That is a very old valve. I am less concerned about your finding a washer to fit it than about the washer screw shearing off from corrosion when you try to remove it. Even that can be fixed by a good plumbing shop.

jumper

Fun project is to try to punch put your own washer.

Big Ed_4

There is not a washer in that valve .. Replace the valve

pecmsg

Big Ed_4 said:

There is not a washer in that valve .. Replace the valve

True but there is packing!

Big Ed_4

Packing yes , the valve can be dismantled to be cleaned and greased . Running it open and closed a few times sometimes helps ...

Repeat; Do not over tighten that valve ... Ask me how I know that

reggi

Do you know what material the piping is made of ? It looks like some #'s stamped on a piece or so.. assuming it was cut and threaded on site.. but the material looks bronze ?

mattmia2

It is either brass or galvanized. I have seen galvanized turn that color, maybe from someone smoking in the basement.

pecmsg

With those green spots I’ll guess brass

reggi

Does it function with relative ease , seal when closed and isn't leaking water on the surface below the valve? If so I'd leave it alone and check it the few times a year you turn it.. 

SteamHeat

Thanks, guys.

Since it seems to be unclear whether there is even a washer within to replace, I guess the safe thing to do is to just ask my pro to cut out this old valve (to avoid worries about leaking from the stem) and replace with a full-port ball valve. So far I have not had a ball valve leak in my place, though there is always a potential for an unpleasant first experience.

mattmia2

I've had plenty of ball valves leak at the stem. Usually they have a packing nut under the handle which sometimes isn't tightened at the factory.

pecmsg

High quality valves don't leak or have adjustable packing, most of the Chinese crap 50/50 shot!

Big Ed_4

A ball is the valve of choice today . A gate was the valve of choice before ..