How do you repack an osy valve? Where do you get the packing from? Do you have to shut down the water to do it?
For most valves, replacing the packing can be done without shutting down the water system. The first step is to back seat the valve. Back seating will occur when the valve is fully opened, and will temporarily seal the leak around the stem. You simply open the valve completely with about 50-100ft-lb of pressure. Once the leaking has stopped, you can remove the packing bolts and nuts on the packing gland. Slide the packing gland up the stem and you will have access to the packing. You may need a packing hook, which is a flexible corkscrew tool, to help remove the old packing. Once you have removed the old packing you will want to repack the valve with new packing by wrapping it around the stem and pushing it down into the valve body. After the new packing has been replaced, it may need to be compressed a little so that the packing gland can be reinstalled. This can be done using two pieces of all-thread rod. Cut both all-thread rods to 6 inches long, making sure to use the same diameter all-thread rod as your packing bolts. Place the all-thread rod through the packing gland and tighten the nuts onto the all-thread rod to compact the packing in the valve. Next, remove the all-thread rod and replace with the bolts. Turn the hand wheel, so the valve is about half way open. Finally, tighten the nuts evenly until all leakage around the stem stops. You may need to exercise the valve a few times to make sure there are no leaks around the stem. Be careful not to over tighten the gland because it can crack and there is no reason to compress the packing more than is needed to stop the leak.
where is i get the packing gland material
