I hope someone has some sage advice for this. Me and my wife recently replaced the faucet in our sink and now the cold water pressure is extremely low and water leaks from the shut-off valve stem.

We suspect that there are minerals caught in the cold water shut-off valve under the sink and I was wondering if the shut-off valve can be repaired or repacked. Removing the shut-off valve would definitely require professional help since it is not copper pipes and appears to be fused solid.

Any instructions on repairing/repacking a shut-off valve would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

- Doug

it sounds like the washer has broke away from the stem of the shut off valve and pieces are restricting the water flow

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PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"

Does you wife know you are including her in this problem? There are several spots where the problem could occur and each has its own cause, and therefore repair. Until you know exactly where the stoppage is you, nor we, cannot predict how to fix it.



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Turn the main water off, remove the stem from the valve, flush some water through it. It depends on the type of valve, you may need to repack the stem or just tighten it more.

Your problem could be one of many.

Try "back flushing" your cold water feed. This is ususally done by turning off your main water supply, opening up your cold water facuet, disconnecting your main supply allowing the water to drain out...along with any mineral deposits. This may sound a little involved but I've found it works well.


Hope that helps!

Yep. That is what was happening. I figured out how to remove the shutoff valve stem and noticed the washer was completely gone. So I removed the stem from the cold water faucet and ran some electical grounding wire from the faucet through the flexible tubing (unattached to the supply of course). A couple of chunks of the old washer fell out of the flexible tubing.

I replaced the washer on the shutoff valve and put some packing twine on the stem to take care of a leak on the stem that was also occuring.

Long story short, the cold water pressure has returned to normal. Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions.

Good job, glad that we could be of help.

Doug,

I just had the same issue with the hot water side once I turned off the hot water side under the sink and turned it back on. Turned out to be an easy fix. I disconnected the water line at the turn off valve and it was sentiment had settled and clocked the water line so I cleaned it out and water was flowing out like never before. Took about 15 minutes and didn't cost a dime.