(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as a
reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.

What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop THAT
from from leaking?

The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.

Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg

Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.

Joy

Maybe like a prevention for a frozen pipe. Blows out if under pressure?
Could be.

--



BetsyB



"Joy" wrote in message
news
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as a
reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.

What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop THAT
from from leaking?

The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.

Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg

Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.

Joy

" Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks. What is
the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop THAT from
from leaking? The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing. Here is a
picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg Thanks for any ideas of
what it's for and how to fix. Joy"

I've also never heard of a completely hollow valve stem. Usually, the hole
is tapped only deep enough to take the handle mounting screw. Are you sure
it is leaking through the hole, and not from the base of the stem where it
goes into the valve nut? May be easiest just to replace the hose bib valve,
if replacing the packing and replacing the handle does not do the trick.
Bib valves are fairly cheap.

Joy wrote:
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as
a reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.

What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop
THAT from from leaking?

The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.

Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg

Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.

Joy
Replace it. That is a boiler drain valve, not a true hosebib.
You can't stop it from leaking, because it looks like its been
modified to use the screw instead of the nut to hold the handle on.
Since it is a boiler valve, you can replace the whole stem and
washer from another 3/4 inch boiler valve. The guys at Lowes ought
to be able to sell you on of those for less than $10.
--
Grandpa

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:07:20 -0400, Roger sherryrogeratcomcastdotnet
wrote:
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks. What is
the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop THAT from
from leaking? The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing. Here is a
picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg Thanks for any ideas of
what it's for and how to fix. Joy"

I've also never heard of a completely hollow valve stem. Usually, the
hole is tapped only deep enough to take the handle mounting screw. Are
you sure it is leaking through the hole, and not from the base of the
stem where it goes into the valve nut? May be easiest just to replace
the hose bib valve, if replacing the packing and replacing the handle
does not do the trick.
Bib valves are fairly cheap.

Replacing would probably be difficult. It might be welded on the pipe. Do
any of these things get screwed on??? I don't want to risk making things
worse.

I can SEE the lower part of the screw through the hole in the stem and I'm
sure the water is leaking from this hole (probably squeezing past the
screw threads). WITHOUT the screw, the water squirts from the hole under
pressure. Caught me by surprise, it did.

I don't believe the hole is to relieve pressure since you can just open
the bib valve and do the same thing.

Joy

Joy wrote:
On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:07:20 -0400, Roger sherryrogeratcomcastdotnet
wrote:
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks. What is
the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop THAT from
from leaking? The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing. Here is a
picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg Thanks for any ideas of
what it's for and how to fix. Joy"

I've also never heard of a completely hollow valve stem. Usually, the
hole is tapped only deep enough to take the handle mounting screw. Are
you sure it is leaking through the hole, and not from the base of the
stem where it goes into the valve nut? May be easiest just to replace
the hose bib valve, if replacing the packing and replacing the handle
does not do the trick.
Bib valves are fairly cheap.

Replacing would probably be difficult. It might be welded on the pipe.
Do any of these things get screwed on??? I don't want to risk making
things worse.


Boiler valves are NOT welded. They screw on. Yours looks like a 3/4
FIP valve. Depending upon what the attaching pipe is, you may or may
not be able to wrench it off. If its old galvanized pipe, you're
probably better off replacing the guts of the valve.
--
Grandpa

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:26:21 -0400, Grandpa wrote:

Joy wrote:
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as
a reply for someone else instead of a new post.)
Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.
What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop
THAT from from leaking?
The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.
Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg
Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.
Joy

Replace it. That is a boiler drain valve, not a true hosebib.
You can't stop it from leaking, because it looks like its been
modified to use the screw instead of the nut to hold the handle on.
Since it is a boiler valve, you can replace the whole stem and
washer from another 3/4 inch boiler valve. The guys at Lowes ought
to be able to sell you on of those for less than $10.

AAhhh. I tried my best to be clear. I'm afraid you assumed the picture is
of my actual bib... It's not. It's just a picture I found so I could
illustrate.

The bib does not appear to be modified and I doubt it was leaking from
that hole until I removed the screw holding the handle on. Hmmmm. Maybe
some loc-tite or something to seal the threads and block the water?
Anyway, still want to know why the hollow stem and how it should REALLY be
repaired.

Joy

On Jun 1, 2:55 pm, Joy wrote:
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as a
reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Joy

I make 2 or 3 posts to alt.home.repair per year, and one of 'em gets
hi-jacked??

Joy wrote:
On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:26:21 -0400, Grandpa wrote:

Joy wrote:
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this
as a reply for someone else instead of a new post.)
Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and
that seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle
and that screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.
What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop
THAT from from leaking?
The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.
Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg
Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.
Joy

Replace it. That is a boiler drain valve, not a true hosebib.
You can't stop it from leaking, because it looks like its been
modified to use the screw instead of the nut to hold the handle on.
Since it is a boiler valve, you can replace the whole stem and
washer from another 3/4 inch boiler valve. The guys at Lowes ought
to be able to sell you on of those for less than $10.

AAhhh. I tried my best to be clear. I'm afraid you assumed the picture
is of my actual bib... It's not. It's just a picture I found so I could
illustrate.

The bib does not appear to be modified and I doubt it was leaking from
that hole until I removed the screw holding the handle on. Hmmmm. Maybe
some loc-tite or something to seal the threads and block the water?
Anyway, still want to know why the hollow stem and how it should REALLY
be repaired.

Joy
Post a real picture then if you real help. Still might be able to
fix it for less than $10.
--
Grandpa

I can SEE the lower part of the screw through the hole in the stem and I'm
sure the water is leaking from this hole (probably squeezing past the
screw threads). WITHOUT the screw, the water squirts from the hole under
pressure. Caught me by surprise, it did.

This hole that leaks......are you saying it is the same hole as
the screw screws into, or are you saying that it is a hole that goes
through the side of the stem?

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:24:05 -0400, Meat Plow wrote:

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:00:39 +0000, Joy wrote:

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:26:21 -0400, Grandpa wrote:

Joy wrote:
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this
as
a reply for someone else instead of a new post.)
Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and
that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.
What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop
THAT from from leaking?
The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.
Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg
Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.
Joy

Replace it. That is a boiler drain valve, not a true hosebib.
You can't stop it from leaking, because it looks like its been
modified to use the screw instead of the nut to hold the handle on.
Since it is a boiler valve, you can replace the whole stem and
washer from another 3/4 inch boiler valve. The guys at Lowes ought
to be able to sell you on of those for less than $10.

AAhhh. I tried my best to be clear. I'm afraid you assumed the picture
is
of my actual bib... It's not. It's just a picture I found so I could
illustrate.

The bib does not appear to be modified and I doubt it was leaking from
that hole until I removed the screw holding the handle on. Hmmmm. Maybe
some loc-tite or something to seal the threads and block the water?
Anyway, still want to know why the hollow stem and how it should REALLY
be
repaired.

Joy

Take a picture of it if you can and put it up so we can see it.




Ok. If nobody figures this out I will take actual photos.
It will have to wait until my camera is repaired so it may be a while but
I'll do it first thing when it returns.

Joy

On Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:48:39 -0400, wrote:


I can SEE the lower part of the screw through the hole in the stem and
I'm
sure the water is leaking from this hole (probably squeezing past the
screw threads). WITHOUT the screw, the water squirts from the hole under
pressure. Caught me by surprise, it did.

This hole that leaks......are you saying it is the same hole as
the screw screws into, or are you saying that it is a hole that goes
through the side of the stem?

It is leaking from the hole in the side of the stem through which you can
see the side of the screw that holds the handle on.

Joy

Joy wrote:

(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as
a reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.

What is the purpose of a hole in the hollow stem and how do you stop
THAT from from leaking?

The guys at Lowes never heard of such a thing.

Here is a picture to help you understand what I have...
http://mysite.verizon.net/bjkass123/bibhole.jpg

Thanks for any ideas of what it's for and how to fix.

Joy


I'll make a WAG that maybe the other end of that valve stem is pretty
conventionally shaped and has a rubber washer on it which should be held
in place by a screw. Maybe THAT screw has loosened (or even fallen out)
so that the rubber washer is no longer compressed under the screw's head
to keep water from entering the screw hole at that point.

To the OP, disassemble the hose bib further and let us know what you
find on the business end of the stem.

What that cross hole in the stem is for is a question I'd like to hear
the answer to. G

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

"Joy" wrote in message
news
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as a
reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.

Could that be a "freeze-proof" spigot? It's a little unlikely based on the
picture but you said it's a generic picture, not one of the actual item.

Freeze-proof spigots have a long (6+ inches) stem that _is_ hollow (mine
are, anyhow), and the actual water-stopping valve portion of it is at the
far end of that stem.

Freeze proof spigots are great since you don't have to go around the house
in November turning off the outside water. That's not hard, but here in
Montana where it can freeze in September the freeze proof spigots are nice
to have.

I can't see how a freeze-proof spigot is relevant. After shutting water
supply to the bib, the water would drain from the bib. Why have to remove
the handle screw to let it dribble out the side????

Joy


On Sat, 02 Jun 2007 02:12:04 -0400, Bob M. wrote:


"Joy" wrote in message
news
(I'm SO sorry. I'm learning a new browser and I managed to post this as
a reply for someone else instead of a new post.)

Nothing is easy in home repair!!!
We tried to replace the packing washer in our outside hose bib and that
seemed to go OK, but we removed the screw securing the handle and that
screw seemed to plug a hole in the hollow stem which now leaks.

Could that be a "freeze-proof" spigot? It's a little unlikely based on
the picture but you said it's a generic picture, not one of the actual
item.

Freeze-proof spigots have a long (6+ inches) stem that _is_ hollow (mine
are, anyhow), and the actual water-stopping valve portion of it is at
the far end of that stem.

Freeze proof spigots are great since you don't have to go around the
house in November turning off the outside water. That's not hard, but
here in Montana where it can freeze in September the freeze proof
spigots are nice to have.

Joy wrote:
I can't see how a freeze-proof spigot is relevant. After shutting water
supply to the bib, the water would drain from the bib. Why have to
remove the handle screw to let it dribble out the side????

Joy


Until you can show us a picture of what you really have, everything
that goes on in the thread is conjecture. I'd really like to help,
but I need a little more information. KTHNXBY

--
Grandpa