Washing machine water pipe leak problem

[tonyboy]

Hello, I'm new here so I hope this post fits in the right category. I have done a research of previous similar posts but couldn't find the answer I was looking for.
I recently moved into a new apartment. I connected my washing machine in the water supply : the hot water pipe works perfectly, while the cold one leaks. At first it seemed to leak from a bit of everywhere; I replaced the pipe for a better one, with new washers, and now it only leaks from the threaded part of the tap (I don't know how it's called; see picture).

I've already tried adding a second rubber washer, and using "plumber's tape"; didn't change anything so far.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

A.

p.s. My landlord who would probably be in charge of this, is in the hospital right now, and hasn't been very helpful for anything so far. Anyways I'd rather learn how to do this myself...

 

[phishfood]

That is the packing nut.

SOMETIMES you can tighten that down and stop the leak. I have had the best success tightening the packing nut down a little, then turning the valve on and off a couple of times, tightening the nut a little more, turning the valve on and off, then tightening a little more......

If that doesn't do the trick, you can get some graphite packing material at the hardware store. Get the fibrous, fluffy looking stuff, not the stuff that is hard. Remove the nut, try to dig out the old packing material, add a single wrap of the new packing material, and retighten the nut just to the point where the handle starts to get a little bit stiff to turn.

 

[tonyboy]

Thank you for your reply. I have already tried to tighten the packing nut; as you can see I even managed to scratch some sides of it in my lack of plumbery skills. Now I can't get it to move at all; the whole piece turns at the same time (until the white tape). Sorry if that doesn't make sense, I don't know much about this and English is not my first language...
Would it be very complicated to replace the whole thing?

 

[phishfood]

If, as you say, the whole faucet is turning, it should be possible to change it out. Use a second wrench to hold the fitting that the faucet is threaded into while you remove and replace it.

 

[phishfood]

Oh, and make sure that the water is turned off and the pressure is drained before you remove the old faucet.

 

[tonyboy]

Thanks a lot for your help! Will try that tomorrow.

 

[tonyboy]

Oh yeah, my main water valve never completely stops water from dripping; even after using pliers there is a small amount of water circulating at all times. Replace the valve?

 

[LiQuId]

to do this you need to be able to shut the water off at the curbcock, It is a good idea to do this with your town involved in case of issues with the curb cock, even if you have a curb key its your Problem if a problem occurs using it, its the municipalitys problem to fix if they have an issue with their valve. You can then easilly replace the main Shutoff.

 

[tonyboy]

Thanks for your help!

 

[IFIXH20]

Is it all taken care of ?

 

[tonyboy]

Well I was able to replace the faucet, and if I had brought soap and shampoo with me I could have taken my shower at the same time.

I want to speak with the landlord about the main water valve so I have to wait until he is out of the hospital.

Thanks again,

A.

 

[IFIXH20]

to do this you need to be able to shut the water off at the curbcock, It is a good idea to do this with your town involved in case of issues with the curb cock, even if you have a curb key its your Problem if a problem occurs using it, its the municipalitys problem to fix if they have an issue with their valve. You can then easilly replace the main Shutoff.

Some cities are now charging a service fee to the customer to come out and turn the curb cock off. It happen to a customer of mine.

 

[LiQuId]

still better to pay that fee than to have a messed up curbcock.