Urgent Help Needed! Leaking mains stopcock (tap spur)

[zoomer]

Hello to everyone.

I am urgently seeking help with my mains stopcock, as I have a leak from the tap stop. I would like to avoid a plumber, so ask if it's possible to only replace the tap part where it screws in (as against the whole unit), as I feel I could manage this. I live in a flat with a closed pressurised hot water system. I have one cockstop (mains into flat that's leaking), and another one in line about 1/2 a meter along/up. If it's possible to just replace the tap spur, is it just a case of closing both stopcocks to change the spur - to stop water coming in and water draining from the system? - or can anyone give me any advice at all on how to mend the problem, especially as I don't want to flood my neighbours' flats?

Many thanks for your help and for reading my post,

zoomer.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

where is the water coming from on the stopcock?

 

[zoomer]

from the shaft steveb

 

[Simon F]

you will most likely just need to tighten the gland nut,
that's the nut that is around the spindle

 

[PlumbBobBob]

that is an easy fix without taking the tap apart or replacing bits. you will need an adjustable spanner to fit the nut on the shaft and some ptfe tape. all you have to do is loosen the nut so it comes along the shaft, wrap some ptfe (8-10 inches should do) around the shaft not too tight them screw the nut back in and the leak should be sorted. oh and welcome to the forums.

 

[Keefy]

If it's just a slight weep try packing the gland with PTFE. Untighten the gland nut and wind the PTFE round then tighten it back up.

Edit: Damn you Steve! 😉

 

[zoomer]

hey steveb - i did what you sugested, and hey ho it worked! Will keep any eye on it though. Really really appreciate the fast response and help. Thanks alot!

zoomer

 

[PlumbBobBob]

that's what we're here for

 

[zoomer]

Keefy - I thank you for your suggestion as well - that advice may come in handy as well, one day.

 

[Keefy]

Keefy - I thank you for your suggestion as well - that advice may come in handy as well, one day.

It was the same advice really except steveb explained it in better detail. 😉