Shut-off valves – replace/repair
The three most commonly used shut-off valves in your home are:
1. Gate valve that has a round handle that you turn clock-wise to shut off;
2. Stop valve which has a oval handle that you turn clock-wise to turn off
3. Ball valve that has a lever handle that you pull up or down ¼ turn for on and off.
These three valves have one thing in common – a packing nut located behind the handle and around the stem. The packing nut is 6 sided. This packing nut tightens the packing around the stem so it won’t leak. When the valve is opened and closed a lot or if not used very much, the packing will get loose, rip or just disintegrate.
Additionally, quarter turn shut-off valve is also available which has a very nice featureeee that it only require a 1/4 turn to turn this valve off or on.

