my stopcock under my sink is dripping when turned on, ive tryed to close it slightly but it still drips, what can i do & how do i do it, please help!

roy read, October 2005

only one concern you can not add WD40 to a mains inlet as it will pollute the water in your house and potentially harm anyone who lives there

George, September 2012

i had the same problem , my stopcock is partially buried in the floor with just the essential nuts sticking out.
the house is a 1950s and by looking at the stopcock looked to be about the same era .
and after seeing it thought that just aint gonna mend its gonna break.
but heres a message to all those like me that always fear the worst.

spray some wd40 on the top nut give 30 mins a quater turn on the top nut and hey presto leak stopped

thanks to everyone who gives advise on anything

fran, June 2011

Steve, A great answer, dripping fixed, thank you.

holf, May 2011

Steve - many thanks. Just came home to a leaking pipe in the out building and the stop cock dripping. managed to isolate the leaking pipe and followed your advice on the stop cock and all good for now. thanks again

JD, December 2010

Steve I had the same prob and was very concerned about starting. Followed your instructions and it worked like a dream, no more drip. Many thanks

Roger, October 2010

First thing to do in all cases Is always check you can turn off your main water supply in the street, I went the other day to replace a stop cock but could not turn off the water outside so this had to be fixed first by the water Co.

Darren, May 2010

This was happening on our stop cock and we were covered by a Home Serve insurance. They took two days to arrive but all they did was to spray the spindle with WD40 turn it a few times and the leak stopped. Also our pipework is hidden behind the sink unit and in the cold there is a lot of condensation as well during the winter and cold spells

Wireless Waffler, March 2010

Fully agree with Steve - Just tightened gland nut and guess what? - no leaks!

moose, March 2010

What a rubbish answer from Keiron Heating - thats someone on the make if I've ever heard it!.

Yes hopefully a 1/4 turn might solve your problem but if not it's NOT a replacement job. All it needs is to repack the tap spindle. Here's what to do get a 16mm spanner and undo the TOP nut nearest the tap head anticlockwise. Clean out any crap that you can - wind some PTFE tape or knitting wool greased with vaseline around the spindle and then do the nut back up. Do it it up reasonably tight not too tight or you may find you cannot turn the tap afterwards.

If your stopcock is in an awkward position it might be sensible to put a pair of molegrips on the larger nut further down the tap to help you steady it and apply force though I found it didn't take much to undo it (but do NOT undo the big one!!) and so you don't twist the fitting and cause leaks elsewhere. Note you do NOT have to turn off the mains to do this you will not get any thing other than a few drips whilst doing this job. How do I know? I have literally just done this job in the last half hour in my own home - and I am an insurance man! Give it a go do not be frightened of it - it really is a 15 minute job at most and save yoursself a fortune from rip off plumbers!

Steve, February 2010

as mentioned it may be that your packing gland nut is lose, that is the first nut you will see after the tap handle give it a 1/4 turn this should solve your problem. if this is not the case then you will have to replace the unit with new .if you are confident that it is in you scope to do this then go along to your local plumbing merchant and tell him what you are wanting to do they will supply you the parts and give you all the advice you need This work done by a plumber should cost no more than £65

KIERON HEATING AND PLUMING ENG,, November 2005

Point one you can't touch in some areas the street stopcock it belongs to the water authority, break it you pay for it,You have to call them up first and ask what you can do.

The leak may only be the gland nut, check first its not coming loose if it is re-tighten and see if leak stops, that's the small nut on the the tap, if it doesn't carry on with the following. I've re-packed one with the mains on undid the nut with the cold tap on in the sink which reduced the pressure of water coming from the tap shaft. packed it with vaseline and wrapped a thin string of hemp or I've use wool, once or twice around the shaft and push it down into the gap tight, then re-tighten the nut that should stop the leak. Sorry but if it doesn't then you will have to replace the tap. How did I replace one of mine when I couldn't move the pipe. Simple took the centre out an bought a new stopcock removed the centre either white plumbers tape or a tube of sealant Furnox 3 around the thread and fitted it in the old stopcock body job done without having to cut and replace pipwork.

Rob, October 2005

I fully endorsed "Dawn" answer, - purchase an appropriate "Key " to fit your main tap (somewhere in the Garden - if can't find -ask water co/ or your neighbour might know ?
If leaking when fully on - leak might be coming up from spindle.
(the straight u can see below the handle u use to turn off)
If this is the case u could try give the "gland nut" a slight turn clockwise (the gland nut is the 1st below handle which screwed down around spindle) Try a slight turn first - then test, - if better try another slight turn - u will need the correct spanner for the task - and don't overtighten !!
(Still go out and buy a "Key" & know where your o/side tap is located) Best of luck

Howard, October 2005

you need to turn of the mains in the street outside your home with a key you can buy one or ask the water board to loan you one this will turn of all your supply to your home so you can then replace your stopcock with a new one it is easy to do i'm a woman and i done it

dawn, October 2005