The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Plumbing Repairs And Utilities
Remove plunger and apply valve- oxide and compound. Replace plunger temporarily and rep. and rotate it back and forth to grind the surface until joint is leakproof. If parts are badly worn and leaks cannot be stopped by repolishing, replace faucet with a new one.
(3) Angle and globe valves. Angle and globe valves are usually installed on water lines to shut against pressure. They operate more efficiently in hot water, steam, and similar lines when installed with pressure above the disk. If valves are installed in heated lines with pressure below the disk, the stem may cool, contract, and slightly unseat the valve when flow through the valve is shut off. Even a slight leak may result in severe damage, either by admitting steam to an empty kettle or by erosion to the disk and valve due to increased velocity of flow. If dirt, grease, or foreign substances are lodged on seat or disk, remove stem and disk and clean thoroughly. When necessary, renew disk and seat in same way as for faucets.
(4) Gate valves. Gate valves can be installed on pipes in any position and with either face against the pressure. They are usually installed where volume regulation is not necessary or where the full waterway is desired. Clean dirt and grit out of seat wedges of valves periodically.
(5) Stuffing boxes, (a) Stop leaks that develop in stuffing boxes of globe, gate, and angle valves shortly after installation by pulling down on packing nut. Tighten bolts on gland-flange type stuffing boxes evenly because twisting the gland binds the valve stem.
(b) If leaks develop after valves have been in service for some time, stuffing boxes may need repacking. Remove stuffing box and gland, take out old packing, and clean the valve stem and stuffing box thoroughly before inserting new packing, If valves have split-ring packing, replace several rings at one time and pack them into position, using packing gland as a tamping tool. Add enough rings to fill the box, staggering ring splits. When parts are reassembled, take a few turns of hand wheel and add a few drops of oil to help work packing to stem.
(6) Check valves. Check valves are classified as horizontal-swing, ball-seating, and spring-vertical valves. They are used primarily to check the flow of water in one direction, but should never be used to prevent backflow of polluted water into a potable- water system because they do not hold tight against back siphonage.
