It may be possible to tighten the packing nut on the water valve to stop the leak.
Main water line valve leak repair.
If there is no sound on the line after closing the main valve and draining your plumbing system then the leak is not on your main water line to the street.
To tighten the packing nut follow these directions.
Main water shutoff valves can become clogged with mineral deposits and grit causing slow leaks.
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If you hear the sound of running water unfortunately you have a water main leak on the service line to the street.
However in most cases it is best practice to call a professional plumber to fix the leak.
Turn off the water at the house s main shutoff then disassemble the problematic shutoff valve without disconnecting the valve from either the water supply line or the line leading to the toilet.
The packing nut is responsible for making a watertight seal where the valve stem meets the water line.
Turn on all the faucets and flush all the toilets associated with the main shutoff valve to empty the pipes of water.
The costs associated with your water main repair will depend on the location of your break and the ease of access.
Avoiding even a small water main leak can lead to more costly damages in the future.
You will in fact require a water main repair or a full replacement.
If you get drips of water coming through your pipes even with the main shutoff valve completely closed it s probably time.
If you find yourself having to repair your water main you re making the right choice to deal with the issue right away.
When i did i found the main water shut off valve was leaking.
If the leak persists before replacing the entire valve try this.
With the right materials and correct procedure it s a safe and easy repair.
Other diy methods include adding additional washers or replacing old washers.
Also if you re starting to see drips of water coming through your pipes even though the main water shutoff is closed completely it could be the sign of a faulty ball valve.
See our cost guide and find out the cost of your water main break repair.
I needed to turn off the water to my home for a separate issue.
So if there is a leak at the valve stem it most likely means the valve is not shut off all the way.
Some types of water valves such as gate valves are more prone to leaking.
I was able to stop the leak by.
Place a bucket or a thick towel on the floor under the leaky valve just in case some residual water leaks out during work.
The first thing you should do to stop the leak is to tighten the packing nut.
