wrote:
I've recently found that the main water valve before the meter is
leaking, perhaps 1gal/week. I can see where the water is dripping out
from the valve where the handle goes into the fitting.

Our line comes up through a basement/closet floor -grounding wire -
valve - meter - valve - grounding wire - house. It appears to be
flare fitted copper.

I've been feeling brave as I just rerouted plumbing for our new
kitchen, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I'm
wondering also if it was caused by something I did, perhaps tightening
down old gaskets too much.

Any suggestions or advice will be greatly appreciated!


It may be a Globe valve like this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globe_valve
or a similar Gate valve.

Either has the packing nut where the stem enters
the valve body. If tightening the nut doesn't
stop the leak, the packing inside will need renewal.
It is *possible* to repack it just by closing the valve,
then draining system water from the outlet side.
Then unscrew the nut to wrap new packing around stem.

But things can and do go wrong. Is they do, there is
no Plan "B" since the water service can only then be
shut off at the curb and this curb stop may not
be accessible to you.

Will the utility assist on this leaking valve?
Nobody on here can tell you with any certainty.

Jim