50% or more of these type of spigots leak

**Gene South** · 10-28-2011, 08:00 AM

I see these types of spigots often, like every other day. When I do, I know 50% or more of them are going to have a drip leak at the shaft. Some of them are only a couple of years old. A plumber told me the shaft will have to be replaced and he does it all the time on these types of spigots. After seeing a few hundred of these leaking, I guess it has to be a poor design. FYI. Just wondered how may of you see drip leaks at the handle shaft on this particular type of spigot.

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**Garry Sorrells** · 10-28-2011, 09:32 AM

First off your plumber is taking you and others for a ride. The shaft does not have to be replaced. Get a new honest plumber.

The reason that the shaft (valve stem) is leaking is as a result of use and the packing on the stem is not sealing the stem. Typically all is needed is to tighten the packing nut a little. At some point the packing has to be added to, which is a 5 min job and $0.20 material.

Just tighten ( 1/4 turn) the nut in your picture, should stop the leak. If not try a nother 1/4 turn.

The packing wears over time with use.

**Gunnar Alquist** · 10-28-2011, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gene South

I see these types of spigots often, like every other day. When I do, I know 50% or more of them are going to have a drip leak at the shaft. Some of them are only a couple of years old. A plumber told me the shaft will have to be replaced and he does it all the time on these types of spigots. After seeing a few hundred of these leaking, I guess it has to be a poor design. FYI. Just wondered how may of you see drip leaks at the handle shaft on this particular type of spigot.

Gene,

They always leak. I am now replacing mine with 1/4 turn valves.

**Gene South** · 10-29-2011, 03:34 PM

Hi Gary and Gunnar, thanks for the input. Yes, you are right Gunnar, it is rare for me to see one of these that does not leak, even on brand new construction homes I see them leaking all the time. Thanks Gary on the tip on tightening.

Gene

**William Kievit** · 10-30-2011, 03:57 PM

This type of valve is intended to be fully "on" or fully "off". That way the stem packing is not a factor. I tell my customers to use them as ON/OFF valves and not to fine tune the flow rate.

**Garry Sorrells** · 10-31-2011, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by William Kievit

This type of valve is intended to be fully "on" or fully "off". That way the stem packing is not a factor. I tell my customers to use them as ON/OFF valves and not to fine tune the flow rate.

The stem packing is what stops them from leaking in the first place. If it is leaking when new it is a result of factory not tightening down the nut before shipping. Open-closed-in-between, it is still about the packing to prevent leaking.