Hull Valve Maintenance

[GeneM]

Is there a common practice for maintaining valves? Do they need to be opened and greased or something? One of mine is extremely tough to operate.

[Pete7]

A good wiggle every month for the ball valve. Slowly replacing mine with Trudesign plastic valves.

If you have a really stiff one chances are its the ball valve that has corroded into a horrible mess. Probably easier to just replace it, once they get really difficult the handle has a habit of snapping off or the handle moves and the ball doesn't.

[wingless]

What manufacturer / type of seacock?

The seacock valves on my boat would never have the desired feel when opening or closing, regardless of lubrication or frequency of movement.

All my seacock valves were reworked by me to remove the stem and nylon seal washers behind the handle and gland nut.

All of those parts were cleaned, lubricated and reassembled.

The gland nut was tightened to attain no leakage and proper handle movement.

Now all my seacock valves have an excellent feel when opening or closing.

This is the type of seacock valve used on my boat.

[GeneM]

Originally Posted by wingless

What manufacturer / type of seacock?

The seacock valves on my boat would never have the desired feel when opening or closing, regardless of lubrication or frequency of movement.

All my seacock valves were reworked by me to remove the stem and nylon seal washers behind the handle and gland nut.

All of those parts were cleaned, lubricated and reassembled.

The gland nut was tightened to attain no leakage and proper handle movement.

Now all my seacock valves have an excellent feel when opening or closing.

This is the type of seacock valve used on my boat.

Thanks all. Somehow I let this get sway grom me.