need to fix water valve ...help

[calisoldier83]

hey I have a water valve for my refrigerator. It started leaking after I was replacing the water filter. It looks like its leaking from the blue part and where it connects to the internal plumbing. Heres a pic of it PIC. Can I just unscrew it and take it to home depot and get a new one? Of course turning off the water line to the house. Thanks.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

You may be able to replace the top section of the valve, but you're better off having the whole thing replaced with a ball valve.

 

[calisoldier83]

thats what i'm saying take the whole thing off that screws into the plumbing

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: calisoldier
thats what i'm saying take the whole thing off that screws into the plumbing

I doubt the "whole thing" is screwed into the plumbing, or do you have iron plumbing?

 

[Lounatik]

First, try to tighten the handle with a screwdriver(there is usually a phiilips head screw on top of the handle). If that doesnt work, get a couple of crescent wrenches and tighten the top nut while holding the bottom part of the fitting with the other wrench. Usually that will solve you leak. You should probably turn off your water before doing this so you dont get water all over the kitchen if you brak something and to take off the pressure going to the valve. The ball valve sugestion is a good one too, if you are up to a bit of plumbing.

Be careful doing this though: You could have plastic piping going to the water valve and if you crank down adn slip off the valve you could break the line down in the wall, which would really suck. I cant tell if you do by looking in the picture, so that is why I suggested to turn off the water before doing this.



Peace

Lounatik

 

[Ornery]

Excellent advice by Lounatik. :thumbsup: I'm 90% sure that will do the job for ya.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Excellent advice by Lounatik. :thumbsup: I'm 90% sure that will do the job for ya.

If it doesn't, you could just replace the packing.

 

[sharkeeper]

Leaking around the stem indicates loose packing nut in most cases. Tighten 1/4 turn or more if really loose. If you still have seepage you can repack. TURN OFF WATER SUPPLY AND RELEASE ALL PRESSURE before doing this.