How far open should sink/toilet shut off valves be?

[mclasser]

I've got these multi-turn valves. Do you guys keep them fully open?

 

[Kage860]

I do. The only valves i leave not completely open are steam valves.

 

[walterjay]

Fully open.

 

[eljefino]

All the way. It's better for the packing to be "back-seated".

 

[ET16]

I find that it is also good, from time to time, to work them. Often they get stuck, if they have been sitting for a while.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Full open. I always replace them with quarter turn valves.

 

[FA_WRX]

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk

Full open. I always replace them with quarter turn valves.

+1

 

[Dinoburner]

Originally Posted by Kage860

I do. The only valves i leave not completely open are steam valves.

No problems with steam hammer?

 

[Dave9]

A new valve, keep it all the way open, but not as hard as you can turn, and "sometimes" I find, that if it's getting older and sediment has built up, that you might slow or stop a leak if you open it all the way then turn it back a quarter turn, then it may drip but the sediment seals the leak while you have a drip pan under it... seems fiddly, but a lot less work than a trip to the hardware store and rebuilding and/or replacing it. If it doesn't stop dripping then you know, you need do more.

 

[Warstud]

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk

I always replace them with quarter turn valves.

I like the Keeney valves Lowes sells

 

[Fitz98]

I learned a trick from a plumber. Open it all the way, then close it just a little bit. That will allow you to work it both directions if it gets stuck in the future. Having the ability to work it back and forth gives you a better chance of freeing it up.

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by Fitz98

I learned a trick from a plumber. Open it all the way, then close it just a little bit. That will allow you to work it both directions if it gets stuck in the future.

That's exactly what I do although I won't claim it's for the reason the plumber told you. I honestly can't remember why I started doing this.

 

[gathermewool]

I leave them full open.

Originally Posted by Dinoburner

Originally Posted by Kage860

I do. The only valves i leave not completely open are steam valves.

No problems with steam hammer?

I'm sure he doesn't leave them cracked open; he likely leaves them 1/4 turn off of the back-seat, so that the packing doesn't dry-out and then blow-out.

 

[Linctex]

Originally Posted by Dave9

A new valve, keep it all the way open, but not as hard as you can turn, and "sometimes" I find, that if it's getting older and sediment has built up, that you might slow or stop a leak if you open it all the way then turn it back a quarter turn, then it may drip but the sediment seals the leak while you have a drip pan under it... seems fiddly, but a lot less work than a trip to the hardware store and rebuilding and/or replacing it. If it doesn't stop dripping then you know, you need do more.

Some variation of this. ^^ I never open them "ALL the way" These valves are not machined for a "back seating" function. That's only on Oxygen tanks and pretty much nothing else.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted by Dave9

A new valve, keep it all the way open, but not as hard as you can turn, and "sometimes" I find, that if it's getting older and sediment has built up, that you might slow or stop a leak if you open it all the way then turn it back a quarter turn, then it may drip but the sediment seals the leak while you have a drip pan under it... seems fiddly, but a lot less work than a trip to the hardware store and rebuilding and/or replacing it. If it doesn't stop dripping then you know, you need do more.

A couple of the valves on toilets in our house will drip if I open them "all the way", but are OK when I dial them back a bit...IIRC one of them will still drip very slowly when dialed back a modest amount, but then the dripping will stop comp[lately within a day or so. Someday I will learn how to replace these things and put in some better quality equipment...

 

[4WD]

Originally Posted by FA_WRX

Originally Posted by JeffKeryk

Full open. I always replace them with quarter turn valves.

+1

1/4 turn ? I take that to be ball valves … often a premium product compared to the gate valves with the notorious stem leaks. I use them when doing my own plumbing …

 

[Hall]

Originally Posted by Virtus_Probi

Someday I will learn how to replace these things and put in some better quality equipment...

Replace them with 1/4 valves when you do. If they're threaded connections, most people that can "turn a wrench" could replace them. Obviously remember to turn off the water supply (you'll still get some "spillage" but nothing you can't clean up with a towel), use sealing tape (on metal pipe), and crank them down very firm.

 

[WyrTwister]

Originally Posted by Dave9

A new valve, keep it all the way open, but not as hard as you can turn, and "sometimes" I find, that if it's getting older and sediment has built up, that you might slow or stop a leak if you open it all the way then turn it back a quarter turn, then it may drip but the sediment seals the leak while you have a drip pan under it... seems fiddly, but a lot less work than a trip to the hardware store and rebuilding and/or replacing it. If it doesn't stop dripping then you know, you need do more.

Yep . I turn it all the way out , but not hard . Then I may turn it back in a tiny amount .

 

[4WD]

Yes … and the ball valves tend to have better threads than misc nipples … so a little smear of PTFE thread paste over the Teflon tape is worth doing …

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Linctex

Originally Posted by Dave9

A new valve, keep it all the way open, but not as hard as you can turn, and "sometimes" I find, that if it's getting older and sediment has built up, that you might slow or stop a leak if you open it all the way then turn it back a quarter turn, then it may drip but the sediment seals the leak while you have a drip pan under it... seems fiddly, but a lot less work than a trip to the hardware store and rebuilding and/or replacing it. If it doesn't stop dripping then you know, you need do more.

Some variation of this. ^^ I never open them "ALL the way" These valves are not machined for a "back seating" function. That's only on Oxygen tanks and pretty much nothing else.

Agreed. If it's a gate, needle, globe, plug, etc.. water valve like this, especially the cheaply made ones, there's no advantage to back seating. I too like to open fully, then close them slightly so I can move them in both directions if need be. You're right on most of your standard cylinder gas valves. They're designed to be back seated. I see that a lot at work. Still pucker every time I have to crack a cylinder open on a high pressure tube trailer. LOL.