I have a slow leak that seems to be coming from the post that attaches the cutoff valve handle to the main part of the cutoff valve.

The big picture: a 5/8" pipe comes up through a small hole in the wood bottom of the kitchen cabinet and connects to the bottom of the cutoff valve. A typical flexible metal hose comes out the top of the cutoff valve and connects to the sink above.

So do I try to unscrew the cutoff valve from the copper pipe then replace it? If so should I use a tool to hold onto the pipe. It's loose and moves around when you wiggle it.

Please advise. Thank you!

Read Vanderbilt
San Francisco

It sounds like 2 separate issues.
1. The leak sounds like the packing nut on the valve handle. It is simple to tighten it a quarter turn and stop the leak
2. If your supply stop is so loose that it wobbles around with your fingers, it was probably installed incorrectly and the ferrule isn't nearly far enough down on the pipe. It will more than likely blow off in the very near future and flood EVERYTHING.
I would suggest in your situation to get a new supply stop and install it properly onto the copper. You will need to use a tubing cutter to cut off the old ferrule and the area of the pipe where it attaches; the pipe is most likely distorted anyhow and the new pieces can't slip past the old. Proper installation requires 2 wrenches. one holds the valve in place, one tightens the nut and ferrule. The flex line is similar, hold the valve and tighten the line until it gets snug and stop. The flex lines use a gasketed seal, and can be damaged from over tightening. The compression fitting at the bottom of the stop requires much more force, but it too can be damaged from over tightening. If I knew exactly how much torque to use I would tell you. Someone else may be able to explain it better.

Also, when taking the old valve off, you don't hold the pipe, you hold the nut and the valve with wrenches, the pipe is just there to be squished; it doesn't have any threading that will loosen.

Yes, the packing nut is leaking. Turn the valve handle in a turn or two, tighten the nut with an adjustable wrench while holding the valve steady with a pair of channel lock pliers.

If the whole valve is wiggling around there is a bigger issue.

From his description, I think it is just the long copper riser wiggling when he shakes it. If so there is no problem with it.

Thanks hj. I reread what he wrote and I think you are correct, I just misinterpreted the "it's"

Thanks for the excellent replies! The valve is now fixed.

The faucet has stopped working properly however. I'll make a new post.

Read



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