Stiff Stop Cock.

I have a very tight stop cock on my Hot Water supply.It has always been a bit stiff but changed a tap washer recently and only just managed to turn it off.I was wondering if there is a easy fix for this other than replacement which would entail draining all the hot water system.

do you mean the valve that is up at the storage tank on the cold feed to the hot water cylinder

Yes,that is exactly what I mean.

i would say my valves are the same

i found your problem all the time and i would close it until it got stiff , opened , closed it , opened , and so on.

always getting nearer to closing it off completely its through the lack of use they get stiff and also dirt settled in side the seat etc.

its the same if you where trying to put an old bolt and nut together a bit of wd40 and keep screwing the nut up and down it will get loose.

hope this makes sense

Yes it does,sometimes the simplest cures are the most effective.Why did I not think of that,then that is why you are here.

at the top where the handle is joined to the stem and that goes through a nut

at the nut and stem put wd40 ( not to much ) as you turn both ways it will clean around the stem etc but will not go through to the valve its self

Thanks,done that with the WD 40.Working fine now.

ok pete glad to help , valves in the attic out of sight out of mind , until you need them.