Our main water shut off valve is slowly dripping. We noticed it after we had to shut off and then turn it back on. The water dept says it's our responsibility to repair and they can shut off the external valve while we do. How do we repair it? What parts do we buy? We don’t have money to hire a plumber. Here are pictures of it http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...alve/whole.jpg
The shaft goes through a packing nut. Under that nut is some packing or a seal.
In most case just tighting up that nut SLIGHTLY is enough to stop a drip. If that does not do it or if the valve is now too hard to operate then you need to redo the packing.
Have the water shut off at the main/meter. Then remove the handle and unscrew the packing nut.
You will need to dig out the old packing or washer. Hardware stores have replacements.
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