Stopcock - Repacking - Advanced - Graphite Rope / Nylon repacking

S

SirLancelot

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This is not your normal 'My stopcock is leaking - so we suggest ptfe/o-rings/locktight-thread to repack' discussion.

There are tens of those types of posts - covering those solutions already.

I am seeking to explore the topic of advanced/permanent repairs - to the packing material.

If I have understood right - graphite rope from bss/bes is one option?

Another alternative that is mentioned is replacement nylon packing material?

For the life of me - I can't find any guides or discussions on these more advanced ways - of affecting a permanent repair on the gland packing material.

I'm interested in opening this topic up and exploring the more advanced options & techniques out there.

How does one use the graphite rope to repack the gland?

What sizes are needed?

Can nylon replacements be easily sourced? Are they better than graphite rope?

Notes: Yes it would be cheaper and quicker to simply replace the stop cock. Yes for many ptfe/o-ring replacement or plumbers thread seems to have worked. This thread is intended to be about the complete and full replacement of the packing material itself to refurbish the gland seal - if simply to learn about the concepts/skills/techniques involved.

SL.
 
Your making a mountain out of a mole hill, close the stop tap get out the old packing material repack it with ptfe tape. Problem sorted for good.

When it's finished turn the water back on close the stop tap and check the stop tap for leaks, pack extra or tighten the gland nut a little as required.

A two minute fix the will last year's. This is the end of the discussion your over thinking it.
 
Unless it is possible to remove the old gland packing and replace it with the same stuff and repair any wear to the spindle it'll never be 'fully repaired'. These types of repair will always be best endeavours.
 
Seen quite a few U.S videos where people can buy either teflon or graphite rope, to replace the packing.

in the U.K - what is available & from where?
 
PTFE and Teflon are the same thing, in the same vein whereby a hoover is the same as a vacuum cleaner. Teflon was a brand name patented by DuPont.

Graphite rope is usually a sealing medium associated with combustion chambers or stoves as it's temperature resistant. I believe it may also be used for glands in large/oversized valves as they're are cheaper to repair than replace but not really required at a stop tap level I wouldn't think, hence the absence of any product designed specifically to do the job.

The American's always seem to want to do things differently from everyone else.
 
PTFE tape route - many opinions - however - it is a stopgap measure.

I'm hoping to explore/discover more advanced ways to fully refurbish repair the packing material.

Simply for the sake - of learning this skill.

I'm hoping there are others that are just as curious - and want to know how to do it in a technically correct manner.
 
Size matters, when I worked for SLD pumps I would often repack 6" stop cock glands, and adjust the pressure on the glands, also the glands on the drive shafts on the pumps. But ½" domestic is clearly not the same.
 
HERTS P&D said:
Fit a lever valve.

Andy
Click to expand...

You mentioned that it would be prudent to fit a non return valve with the lever valve to satisfy regs - and also that a drain-off as part of the work - might be a sensible idea.

You mentioned that going for a quality brand like pegler - is worth the extra expense with lever valves - and that the ones you are referring are full bore & also that the handle can be removed and kept nearby - so it doesn't accidentally get knocked or played with by youngsters that are curious - (but that will add time till it can be shut off in an emergency).

You also mentioned some water meters have return valves already built in - so it requires investigation all round first.

People - I'm hoping to explore the technically correct way to repack a gland valve on a stop cock - to learn and understand this skill.

What to use. How to do it. Where to source the supplies from.

The ptfe tape solution is already known. Many thanks. I and some others would like to explore beyond that solution.

This thread is hoping to move towards exploring a more advanced approach. It is meant to explore that topic.

Are there any fellow members that have had success in repacking/refurbishing a stopcock - in the sense I am hoping to explore?

Many thanks.
 
Last edited:
ericmark said:
Size matters, when I worked for SLD pumps I would often repack 6" stop cock glands, and adjust the pressure on the glands, also the glands on the drive shafts on the pumps. But ½" domestic is clearly not the same.
Click to expand...

I appreciate you helping me explore this topic and keeping it on point.

What materials do you imaging would be available in the Uk for a domestic stopcock repack?
 
Madrab said:
Unless it is possible to remove the old gland packing and replace it with the same stuff and repair any wear to the spindle it'll never be 'fully repaired'. These types of repair will always be best endeavours.
Click to expand...

You can't be doing it right ! Removing the old packing !!! Never not been able to do that. Wear on the spindle the ptfe takes that up.

It lasts for years without a problem .......
 
SirLancelot said:
PTFE tape route - many opinions - however - it is a stopgap measure.

I'm hoping to explore/discover more advanced ways to fully refurbish repair the packing material.

Simply for the sake - of learning this skill.

I'm hoping there are others that are just as curious - and want to know how to do it in a technically correct manner.
Click to expand...

Stop gap yes if you've view years of service as stop gap, wool and silicone grease is another option that last's years. You are not supposed to use hemp anymore on potable water feeds.
You are obsessed with something that ain't a problem ! It's a problem if it's a really old stop tap on lead and it's siezed and you can't get the head off now that is a problem when it's on lead both sides !!!!!
 
What I'm trying to understand is that there are so many different types of replacement gaskets available in other scenarios - why is it so difficult to find proper replacement packing for domestic stopcocks, given their prevalence throughout entire nations?

So again I ask - what is the technically proficient way to properly refurbish the gland packing - on a domestic stopcock.

I seem to keep getting forced back to "PTFE is the one & only, now move on".

I want to learn - about more advanced ways of refurbishing the packing (or replacing it) properly.

Is this really such a rarity - or maybe its a lost skill?
 
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