Very old stopcock leaking

[Deepseeker]

I have a very old stopcock that will not shut off the flow I followed some advice to spay with WD and worked the valve..now is leaking and still won't shut off, can the valve be stripped back by unscrewing the square nut, and can a replacement be bought anywhere, I assume it would be easier to replace the innards than replace the assembly? it looks like the only 'threaded' part is the square nut, no evidence of a gland nut?

as you can see the feed pipe is lead, and although I have read up on using a Lead Loc coupling there is only about nine inches of pipe coming from the floor and it is half buried in the wall, also read that the lead pipe could be brittle and not advisable to bend away from the wall

to compound the issue the water board stopcock serves the whole terrace

I have a dripping lead pipe upstairs that needs to be sorted which I don't mind tackling but I obviously need to shut off the water and do not want to leave the whole terrace without water should it all go wrong

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Any chance of a few pics ?

 

[Deepseeker]

Any chance of a few pics ?

WOW thanks for the quick reply Shaun

 

[Best]

That is ancient! I wouldn't expect that stopcock to turn off or even be repairable.
Get a new water main brought in from outside, preferably completely over to the road main connection, but at least get any possibility of old lead pipe bursting inside prevented.
Some water authorities will replace from the road free
Lead is hazardous and best removed.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Do you know if the external stop tap works ?

If it does tell your neighbors the waters going off for an hour or two and is this ok

I would carfully dig / chop some off the wall out behind the pipe and the valve enough for two fingers (about an inch) before hand

And replace the stop tap like you say with a lead loc and new pipe

Lead wise your ok to move it slightly but not much

 

[Deepseeker]

Did do a bit of googling about replacing main feed,,OUCH! looking for a quick fix till my financial advisor lets me near her purse, thanks for your feedback much appreciated

 

[Deepseeker]

Thanks again Shaun, I will get the materials sorted first and then take the plunge...not literally I hope..

 

[Deepseeker]

OK more googling for the lead loc reveals different fittings for different lead pipe the pipe is around 3/4" 22mm. What does the pound (as in weight) mean?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Looks like 1/2 9lb but best to get a few types like 7lb as well as you could return after if not used

Your best person to ask is @Best or @Last Plumber There of the older generation

 

[Deepseeker]

Looks like 1/2 9lb but best to get a few types like 7lb as well as you could return after if not used

Your best person to ask is @Best or @Last Plumber There of the older generation

Thanks for your time again..