It may be possible to tighten the packing nut on the water valve to stop the leak.
Main water line valve leak repair.
Repairing a leak in your main water line from water meter to house.
If you find yourself having to repair your water main you re making the right choice to deal with the issue right away.
If the leak persists before replacing the entire valve try this.
The first thing you should do to stop the leak is to tighten the packing nut.
However in most cases it is best practice to call a professional plumber to fix the leak.
If there is no sound on the line after closing the main valve and draining your plumbing system then the leak is not on your main water line to the street.
The packing nut is responsible for making a watertight seal where the valve stem meets the water line.
If you hear the sound of running water unfortunately you have a water main leak on the service line to the street.
Turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets associated with the main shutoff valve to empty the pipes of water.
This valve usually is in the basement or a utility closet and it will be clearly labeled.
Turn off the water at the house s main shutoff then disassemble the problematic shutoff valve without disconnecting the valve from either the water supply line or the line leading to the toilet.
When i did i found the main water shut off valve was leaking.
Place a bucket or a thick towel on the floor under the leaky valve just in case some residual water leaks out during work.
I was able to stop the leak by.
Some types of water valves such as gate valves are more prone to leaking.
Avoiding even a small water main leak can lead to more costly damages in the future.
I needed to turn off the water to my home for a separate issue.
Water line brass barbed insert propane torch stainless steel clamps 160 psi hose.
Unscrew the handle the packing nut and the threaded valve stem photo 2.
See our cost guide and find out the cost of your water main break repair.
Also if you re starting to see drips of water coming through your pipes even though the main water shutoff is closed completely it could be the sign of a faulty ball valve.
If you get drips of water coming through your pipes even with the main shutoff valve completely closed it s probably time.
With the right materials and correct procedure it s a safe and easy repair.
Other diy methods include adding additional washers or replacing old washers.
To tighten the packing nut follow these directions.
The costs associated with your water main repair will depend on the location of your break and the ease of access.