Water Shut Off Valve Leaking and How to Fix It

Make Sure All Packing Washers and Nuts are Secured

At times it is not the packing nut but the washer inside. It is known as the packing washer. Should there be any leak in the packing washer, you would have a leak even if the packing nut is reasonably tightened. A completely sealed packing nut will prevent the leak but the washer will let some water through which will keep the pressure up and the nut will loosen in some time. You should get the packing washer replaced.

Make Necessary Replacement of Parts

In some cases, both the packing nut and the packing washer must be replaced. This is common in very old valves systems. Worn out or damaged valve systems will require a complete replacement. You might want to check the valve handle, the stem and the condition of the interiors of the valve to look for signs of corrosion. Heavily corroded valves, worn out washers and loose packing nuts call for a complete replacement.

Fluctuation in Leak

There are times when the valve would be fine but excessive water pressure will cause a leak. You can tighten the valve or the packing nut in such cases. The water pressure does fluctuate through the day and night depending on how much water there is in the overhead tank and hence how much water is flowing through the plumbing system and through the valve. You may want to check the water pressure if you have a regulator connected to the mains.