Leaky valve stem
#1
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Leaky valve stem
I have a leaky valve stem that connects my washing machine hose to my hot water heater. There seems to be no shut off valve between the leaky valve and the hot water heater. How do I turn off pressure from the water heater so I can change the valve?

#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Delaware, The First State
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Leaky valve stem
First try tightening the nut at the bottom of the stem. This might cure your leak. If it does not, shut off the water coming into the water heater, & relieve the pressure via another faucet.
#3
Two things you can do.
1) Tighten the nut that is under the handle on the valve. It's called a packing nut. The packing is what keeps the valve stem from leaking. With the valve open, turn it 1/4 turn at a time until it quits leaking.
2) If it doesn't quit leaking, turn off the cold water supply valve to the water heater. This will stop the pressure from the heater. Open up a hot water faucet to relieve the pressure. Then you can change out the valve.
Good luck with your project.
Turn off the power supply (gas/electric) while you are working on the valve replacement.
1) Tighten the nut that is under the handle on the valve. It's called a packing nut. The packing is what keeps the valve stem from leaking. With the valve open, turn it 1/4 turn at a time until it quits leaking.
2) If it doesn't quit leaking, turn off the cold water supply valve to the water heater. This will stop the pressure from the heater. Open up a hot water faucet to relieve the pressure. Then you can change out the valve.
Good luck with your project.
Turn off the power supply (gas/electric) while you are working on the valve replacement.