Leaking stopcock - home purchased yesterday, where do we stand?

GDB2222

I’ve repacked the gland material on several taps, and it’s probably the simplest plumbing job there is. The materials needed are about an inch of string and some Vaseline or similar greasy gloop. Turn off tap, unravel the string and coat the strands in gloop, undo gland nut, shove the gloopy strands in the hole, redo gland nut. 

Flugelhorn

John_the_Boy said:

Get a long stopcock key....I got this one and it does the job well https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-universal-stopcock-key-36/71652

I think I will! If it hadn't been midnight I would have asked neighbours am sure someone would have had one

fozziebeartoo2

Happened in a previous house of mine. Plumbers advice was when the stopcock is turned fully on, then give it a 1/2 twist off again. It worked. No more leaking. He didn't charge!  It was an old house with original plumbing and he said they simply don't like being fully open  

NameUnavailable

DCFC79 said:

Hope the OP comes back to say hes got it sorted.

If he doesn't fix it he'll get the answer to his question, he'll be standing in a puddle!

kinger101

anselld said:

It is often a simple as tightening the nut which compresses the gland

Masochist.

MBJUK

Thanks for the advice all - the packing had gone inside the part itself - the stopcock itself looked extremely corroded because the leak had clearly been there for some time, so we just replaced the stopcock - it was only cheap for a plumber to sort anyway so no major harm done! I guess I'll have to get a bit more handy now I'm a homeowner...but thought I'd best not risk any dodgy DIY in the first week of ownership!

greatcrested

Once or twice a year, tuen it off and on again to prevent it freezing up.

When turning on, turn it fully on and then one full turn back.