On Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:56:48 GMT, The Medway Handyman wrote:

The valve should open fully but it is a gate valve- notorious fo
jamming due to build-up with crud.

Notorious for being a pain in the bum, poxy, spawn of satan, useless
piggin objects :-(

Come on now Dave say what you really mean... B-)

Which reminds me have I excercised the damn things I have this year? What
really fups gate valves up is not being opened/closed at least once/year
and when left open left with the gate fully up not backed down a 1/4 or
1/2 a turn. Of course neither of these things happen in most places so by
they time they are needed they are seized solid or have so much crud on
them they won't shut off properly.

--
Cheers
Dave.