Time

10 minutes

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$0 - $20

Introduction

Repair a leak around the packing nut of a street valve by wrapping new packing rope around the stem.

Repack a Stem Seal on a Valve

If you’re dealing with a leaky street-side valve at your water meter, you don’t have to pay the utility to come out and shut off the water so you can fix it. You can repack the stem with the water on.

You will get some water spray once you loosen the packing nut, however. So before starting, be sure to move anything you care about away from the meter area. It would be a shame to have to deal with water damage after such an easy fix.

Tools Required

  • Adjustable wrench

Materials Required

  • Teflon packing rope

Project step-by-step (2)

Step 1

Clear the valve

Most old valves have rust and mineral deposits in the receiving groove. That crud can jam the gate and damage the valve.

Gently close the valve first. Don’t force it shut; you don’t want to cause more damage. Then open the cold faucet at your laundry tub.

Next, open the street-side valve slightly. The rush of water will flush out the crud. Shut off the laundry faucet, then the street-side valve (in that order).

Step 2

How To Fix A Leaky Street Valve On Your Water Line Fh10mar 506 05 013 SseditFamily Handyman

Wind on special packing rope

Buy Teflon packing rope at any hardware store or home center. With the valve in the off position, loosen the packing nut and slide it toward the handle. Then repack the stem.

Wrap one wind of stem packing rope around the stem. Tighten the packing nut and open the valve. If it still leaks, back off the packing nut and add a few more winds of packing rope.

And there you have it, a quick and easy fix for a leaky street valve. You can solve this problem in no time!