seized stopcock

[Tizak]

Hi All, The main stopcock in the house has seized. I've tried turning it but it wont move much. I tried to loosen the gland nut but that just turned with the tap head. There is a small leak around the gland nut so I think I must have disturbed something. I tightened the gland nut but the leak is still there. I'm reluctant to try and turn the nut again as it is fairly stiff and I don't want to cause further damage (knowing my luck it'll snap off:biggrin5. The pipe coming into the house is lead below the stopcock but is copper above the stopcock. Do you think it would be best to get the stopcock changed altogether? I'm trying to get a plumber to come and have a look but no luck so far, so am hoping the leak doesn't get any worse. Any advice appreciated. P>S have tried WD40 and penetrating oil but still no joy

 

[Alex Knight]

If your doing yourself, turn off in the road and fit new stopcock above old.
Or get a plumber to fit you a new stopcock.

If you break the lead pipe, will be expensive to replace

 

[stevetheplumber]

if the spindle turns with the gland nut its only that thats siezed, open it as far as you can .wd and a bit of heat or a sharp tap with a chisel should free the nut on the shaft then repack gland tighten till it stops

 

[Tizak]

Thank you for your replies, I think I've only got the heat thing to try so I will have a go at that and see what happens.