How to fix water leakage from a ball valve handle

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BEFORE YOU START
  • This fix is much useful for ball valves that are difficult to dismantle or, whenever the valve removal requires to drain the circuit like it is the case in this central heating system. It allows then to avoid costly repairs especially the fix takes a minute.
  •  For smaller ball valves (1/2", 3/4") that can be easily replaced without draining or dismantling portions of the piping, it is always better to replace the entire ball valve. 
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How to fix a ball valve that leaks from handle

It is absolutely normal that ball valves end up leaking from their stem with time.
The stem is located just beneath the handle and the latter is fixed to it with a nut.
You need then to take out the ball valve handle by removing its nut in order to access the stem.
You will notice another bigger nut around the ball valve stem which you need to unscrew and remove using a spanner.
Now find a rubber washer which outer diameter almost matches the one of the nut and innder dia the one of the stem.
Preferably, a conical seal will be used but a flat one will work also.
Insert the washer around the stem and push it down with a flat screwdriver.
You might not be able to put again the ball valve stem nut due to the thickness of the washer you just inserted.
If this is the case, use as shown a nut socket of the adequate size around the stem, so this socket compresses the seal when you tighten the C-clamp, then turn the nut with a spanner in order to have its thread catching the one on the ball valve body.
Tighten well the stem nut.

Refitting the ball valve handle

If the handle of your ball valve is corroded, it would be then worth cleaning it and painting it prior to refitting.
Brush off the ball valve hande with a wire brush and clean it with penetrating oil (WD-40 or any equivalent).
Dry the handle well with a clean cloth and apply a coat of any spray paint can you have.
Once dry, refit the handle to the ball valve, refit its washer and nut and tighten the nut.

See also our other related pictorials and buy your ball valve seals here: