Freeing Stuck Plumbing Valves Correctly

Water shut-off valves have a tendency of accumulating minerals and ice. You will, of course, not know this until you have to shut the valve off to repair a bathtub, sink, or pipeline yourself. Not knowing the correct way of freeing stuck plumbing valves can cause the breaking of pipes, fixtures, and valves, leading to costlier repairs and the need to hire a plumber. But by following the steps below, you can make the stuck valve work again and finish the repair job.

1. Switch the water main off to prevent water from flowing out of the stuck water shut-off valve once it is unstuck. The main valve is located between the plumbing of your home and the water utility line and may be outside or inside your home.

2. Hold the body of the stuck valve with a pipe wrench to prevent its movement.

3. Find the packing nut of the valve. This is located under the handle that you grab to switch the valve off or on. If the valve has a stem between its body and handle, this nut is at the stem’s base, atop the body of the valve.

4. With a wrench, turn the packing nut in a counter-clockwise motion to loosen the nut. Make sure to do this while holding the body of the valve using the pipe wrench.

5. Try switching the water shut-off valve off and on with your hands. If the valve does not move, tap the body of the valve lightly with your wrench so the stem is free of any build-up. Then try to turn the handle using slip joint pliers. However, avoid applying a lot of force to avoid breaking it. Proceed directly to the next step if this step does not free the valve.

6. Have penetrating oil applied to the valve stem, directly under the packing nut. This way, the oil will reach around the stem and deep into the interior threads. If you need to, get a screwdriver and use it to remove the handle of the valve so that the stem becomes accessible. Let ten minutes pass for the lubricant to work. Repeat the fifth step.

7. Have vice grip pliers locked to the stem (if accessible), and make use of them to turn the stem (in a half-turn) in a counter-clockwise motion. When you have loosened the stem, make the packing nut tight again, have the handle knob replaced, if you need to, and turn on the water main again.

8. Have the water shut-off valve opened completely again, and then have the valve rotated half a turn to the other direction. Doing this lessens the likelihood of the valve getting stuck again