Expert: eric maxon - 6/19/2004

Question
Dear Eric:

Q#1 I'm in the mountains (rocky soil) and have to dig out (approx 4 feet down) my Stop & Waste water shutoff to the house, since it's leaking. This will be the third S&W valve in 25 years. Any secrets to digging through rocky compacted soil?

Q#2 Are there better (longer lasting) valves than the Mueller S&W valves I've been using?

Q#3 On a hot water heater, can the packing or sealing on the "Off - Pilot -On" valve be replaced? There seems to be an ever so slight leak where you turn the valve on from pilot. It's a sears HWH. If not, any secrets to getting the valve assembly to unscrew from the side of the tank without damaging the tank etc. Sears sells a replacement valve but I'd rather not even attempt removing the old one if I don't have to.

Thank you in advance.

olins@yahoo.com

Answer
Thanks for the questions.  Here are some answers

A1 - Wet the soil and let is soak in.  You may repeat this for a few days

A2 - Mueller makes a great valve.  I would recommend putting it in a valve box, which in the future would save some digging.  Also you may have beeter luck with a gate valve that is not stop and waste

A3 - Most of the time we recommend replacing the water heater and not triing to replace the valve.  Alot depends on the age of the water heater and water quality in your area.  If you need to replace the valve follow the manufactures instructions.  Its not hard, but sometimes the glass lining cracks, or the tank gets damaged during the repair


Eric