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Author:
DIY_Novice (IL)
Hi all - this old taper gas valve had a tiny leak when we bought the house and was "fixed" before moving in. I was doing some unrelated work down here and decided to spray some gas leak liquid on it and has it showed very very small microfoam being produced out the side where the threaded nut fastens to the threaded stud. Located in unfinished portion of the basement. Honestly I never plan on using it, I always just use the whole house shut-off at the meter.
1) Is attempting to tighten this (packing?) nut safe - ie: is there any chance I'm going to make it worse?
2) Is it safe to put some silicone/RTV (or JB weld?) around this leaking threaded area to seal it temporarily?
3) What is the recommended permanent fix here? Cut pipe in half, un-thread, install new gas ball valve with black iron pipe union? L-R coupling and nipples? Are unions code for gas lines? (Greater chicago area). I will likely hire this out but ultimately I'd like to know the recommended method here.
4) Since I'm never planning on using it - is repacking it with grease and tightening it hard a permanent solution? I don't ever plan on turning it - I'll use the whole house gas valve.
As I type this post, I went down again and sprayed more liquid - this time, no foam/bubbles at all... It must be a very small leak??? I've never smelled anything down there.
Picture below is reference - not my picture:
Any advice is greatly welcomed.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
Quote
..... 4) Since I'm never planning on using it - is repacking it with grease and tightening it hard a permanent solution? .....
YES
disassemble, inspect, repack, reassemble, tighten, operate valve several times, retighten, retest
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
packy (MA)
there is such a thing as gas valve grease.
i don't know the difference between it and silicone grease ?
it's pretty simple to take a valve apart, grease it and put it back together.
tighten the nut until it is stiff to turn the handle but you can still turn it.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
graphite and/or molybdenum hi temperature grease(s) work for gas cocks
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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