How can I unstick a stuck shutoff valve for the bathroom sink?

Thanks for any responses.

Not too much you can do. If the handle has broken off, trying to turn it with a pair of vice grips may work. I've come across quite a few old, stuck shut-off valves where the only thing I could do was shut off the water and replace the valve.

had a similar problem a few years back. took a lrg ziplock bag filled it with ice cubes wrapped it around the valve and tied it down. left it on until most of cubes melted.tadaa the valve worked.needless to say it eventualy got replaced.
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Not worth messing with, just replace it with a new 1/4 turn shut off.

one-time-only fix is to hit the valve stem with WD-40, tap it with a wrench, and repeat every 5 minutes until it breaks the internal crust and turns off.

then as the capper for your plumbing repair, replace it with a quarter-turn shutoff.

a stuck shut off valve is usualy because of calicum deposits in the water.
just replace the valve with another

Thanks to everyone who took the time to share advice.

As it turns out, it apparently was a "user problem". My plumber had to come for other reasons and was able to get it unstuck, with a little help from a wrench.

Now I just have to calendar checking the shutoff valves on a regular basis.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

So you are basically saying that the nut behind the valve wasn't working properly?

Yes, Jaybee, the nut seems to have been the problem in this case. Thinking about the situation, I think there must be a lot of nuts like this throughout the house because there certainly are a lot of problems! Any idea how to replace an old, aging, worn out nut?

quote:

Originally posted by GardenSprite:
Any idea how to replace an old, aging, worn out nut?

If I knew that one I wouldn't be popping Advil like it was candy.

with a newer 50 year old

you need a nutcracker to keep him inline

the only thing you can do with that worn out nut is humor it. that's what my wife says, and she ought to know.

all kidding aside.. was it a packing nut that was to tight?

quote:

Originally posted by Frodo:
all kidding aside.. was it a packing nut that was to tight?

Frodo, I'm not sure what the problem was. Neither the plumber or I could turn the valve by hand. He pulled a big wrench out of his tool kit, "counseled" me on not regularly opening the valve to keep it free, and started to work.

There wasn't much space in the bathroom so I just left to let him do his work while I worried about how much all the other plumbing work was going to cost.

I just assumed the problem was with the valve, which hadn't been opened on a regular basis for years while I was living elsewhere.

If it happens again, I'll ask if the nut (other then me) is the problem.

I would have just changed the $5.00 valve. These things mess up all the time.

Joe, I did tell them I wanted a new shutoff valve but the plumber either forgot about it or decided to just leave the existing one.

There was another plumber working downstairs and between the two repair projects I forgot about the valve until after they were gone.

They also came late afternoon almost evening on New Year's Eve and perhaps they were in a hurry to get through work and celebrate (and I was in a hurry to take a shower as I hadn't had hot water for several days).

It just goes on the list of things to fix next time, which will probably be in spring when the trees next door clog the waste lines again.

Too bad you're not in Michigan - I could call you for the repairs!

Nice state but I do not go above the Mason Dixon line this time of year for any reason. LOL
How about you come here and fix all the jobs I've been putting off and I'll go there and do yours in the summer?

I googled, "copper sulphate and tree roots "and came up with several things you can do to fix the problem, here's one http://www.rex-bac-t.com/p-23-...ing-root-killer.aspx

quote:

Originally posted by nona:
I googled, "copper sulphate and tree roots "and came up with several things you can do to fix the problem, here's one http://www.rex-bac-t.com/p-23-...ing-root-killer.aspx

Wrong thread?