Greetings all,

This is my very first post on this site on the forums.

To make a long story short:

We bought a new refrigerator to replace an old inefficient one that came with a built-in-1989 home we just bought.

When we turned off the water shutoff valve to the fridge, the hole where the water line connects to the valve leaked a considerable amount of water even though the valve was turned off.

I had to turn off the water to the house to get the water to stop leaking.

Once we had the the water line re-connected, we turned the water back on and now, we have a very slow leak from the water shutoff valve; it is coming from between the valve stem and the packing nut. (I believe this is what it's called from preliminary research.) I tried tightening the nut but the leak persists.

I have never done anything with plumbing my entire life, believe it or not. Sorry if this is an easy fix.

Any ideas on how to fix this little guy?

Thanks!

 

You can get new packing and stem seal. Turn water off to house and take packing nut off. May have to turn water knob also while turning nut. Best way is to replace valve with a 1/4 turn angle stop. Take valve to hardware store and match it.

 

If the water was leaking out of where the hose connects then the valve seat washer is probably bad. On most faucets they are easy to replace. Turn off the water to the house and loosen the big hex under the knob and then unscrew/open the faucet and the innards will come out. On the very end should be a rubber washer that forms the seal that turns the water off.

If water is leaking out from the base of the knob then it's the packing.

 

Hi guys,

Just an FYI that my Dad came over and we used to plumbing wrenches - one to hold the valve and one to tighten the packing nut and it has not leaked since. I'm keeping an eye on it since it's an old valve but so far so good!

Thanks all!

 

"and we used to plumbing wrenches"

Should have been "two" not "to". 😋