I don't know how I got this idea into my head but for several decades when I open a rarely used valve, like an angle stop, I open it all the way and then turn it slightly toward closed. I think the idea, from where ever I got it, was that this slight turn toward closed makes the stem less likely to leak the next time I turn it many years later. Is there any reason to do this? Thanks.

For the old style Angle stops it is recommended to open them all the way. They are designed to be a valve not a flow restrictor. With a ball valve type angle stop, you can use it to restrict flow but not sure how if affects the useful life. If you are referring to the old style gate valve, they should be exercised periodically. Condition of water should be taken to account. The more calcium and minerals in the water system, the more likely they are to corrosion/erosion.



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Loren,

Good info. Sounds like what I was doing accomplished nothing. Glad to learn gate valve should be exercised. Thanks.

The reason for doing, what you do, is so that corrosion will NOT accumulate between the mechanism and the valve body, making it difficult to close the next time.

Much has to do with it being a brass stem or plastic cartridge valve. But the exercise, never hurt anyone.
Best Wishes