Hose Faucet Failure

I had an interesting issue come up during an inspection. I was testing water pressure at a hose faucet, proceeded to turn off the valve after seeing pressure at 85 psi, and the handle kept spinning, like happens to gate valves when the stem breaks off the gate. Needless to say the valve would not shut off after several attempts to manipulate it. I had already seen the main shutoff was an old gate valve and the handle would not move by hand, so I did not want to try and use that. I do carry a couple hose caps as they have been useful a few times in the past, however, installing one would have been messy. I specifically do not carry a curb key so I am not asked to operate the mains at the street.

So I left my gauge on the hose faucet and recorded that it failed under test. Also showed the agent, etc. Told them to keep the gauge as a gift....

Never know what might happen. Glad it was minor.

Good thing the pressure gauges are cheap!

bspann wrote:Good thing the pressure gauges are cheap!

Agreed, I was using a 5 buck special, but now I am down to my two expensive oil filled ones! I keep those for backup to verify any questionable readings.

I'll have to put them on the list for the next hardware store visit....

Under those conditions, I would've done the same thing Mike.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/05/2015 09:32 PM EDT

So why not just carry the curb key and if anyone asks, just lie and say you don't have one. What would've happened if you were operating the sink and the line burst underneath, go outside and the main gate valve on the side of the house keep spinning, and spinning. Just a thought

gfricke wrote:So why not just carry the curb key and if anyone asks, just lie and say you don't have one

Funny. But then the urge to actually use it and be helpful might take over. Don't want that to happen.

Just a few weeks ago, similar situation, except I didn't notice the handle was free-wheeling, and I thought the water was off. Of course, it was not, (otherwise I wouldn't be here talking about it

as I removed the gauge. So as the backyard was being flooded, and after futilely trying to put the gauge back on, and then a hose cap, I found the main valve "handle"(?) too worn for the curb key.
Finally, got it turned off using one of those "Gator" socket wrenches ("as seen on TV.") By then, the owner had been contacted, and related if I pushed the handle inward, the stem would engage and the valve could be closed. Thanks!

Philo wrote:Just a few weeks ago, similar situation, except I didn't notice the handle was free-wheeling, and I thought the water was off. Of course, it was not, (otherwise I wouldn't be here talking about it as I removed the gauge. So as the backyard was being flooded, and after futilely trying to put the gauge back on, and then a hose cap, I found the main valve "handle"(?) too worn for the curb key.
Finally, got it turned off using one of those "Gator" socket wrenches ("as seen on TV.") By then, the owner had been contacted, and related if I pushed the handle inward, the stem would engage and the valve could be closed. Thanks!

Wow, nice. I tried the pushing in trick on this one and no luck. That does work sometimes as it might engage the stem threads when worn at the bottom.