I have a leak under my kitchen sink at the nut on the shutoff valve where it connects to the pvc. It is leaking at both shutoff valves and the shutoff valve to the dishwasher at varying speeds, fastest at the cold water shutoff. We have cutoff the main water supply to the house but just need some insight on how to fix this problem. Is there something we should do to seal it? Should we disconnect? My husband attempted to tighten on the cold water shutoff but it only made if leak faster from the connector. Please help! I have just come home from the hospital and have iv @ home and we know we can fix this..just need some help on what to do! Thanks for a speedy reply.

 

First, we need more information. Did all shutoff valves start leaking at the same time? Did you have frozen pipes? The nut you are referring to, a better description of where it is, is it the connection between the valve and the flex hose leading to each faucet? Or, is it the nut that is around the stem of the shutoff valve? Are the valves brass or PVC? Are they ball valves (1/4 turn to shut off) or are they gate valves (several turns to turn them off)? Is there a flex hose connecting the shutoff valve to the faucet? If so, is it stainless or plastic?

The more information you give us, the better we will be able to help you.

 

Hi Rick:

Thanks for your response. The dishwasher shutoff valve started leaking first..very slow..Both the hot and cold valves begin to leak at the same time as best as we can tell. No we did not have frozen pipes. The nut around the stem of the shutoff valve is leaking, the valves are chrome gate valves. Yes, the flexhose is connected to the shutoff to faucet and is part gray plastic tubing attached to copper tubing, each about 12" long. ??? I will check back for your response. Thanks

 

You will need to replace it if tightening the nut did not fix it.

Plumber2000

 

If it is the nut around the stem of the shutoff valve that is leaking, this is the valve stem packing nut. You do not need to replace the entire valve to stop the leak.

Close the valve all the way (shutoff). Remove the valve handle, and remove the nut. Buy valve stem packing cord, either teflon or graphite (available at big box stores an most good hardware stores). Make about one and a half wraps around the valve stem and cut it off. Push it down into the annular space between the stem and the valve body, and re-install the nut and handle. Tighten the stem until some the cord is compressed, but do not overtighten. Open the valve, and if it is still leaking, tighten the nut until the leak stops.