Water shut-off without handle?

[sciemulo]

Hey! Trying to fix a leaky bathtub faucet and need to turn the water off.

There's a T-shaped valve on the pipe with a Phillips screw head in the side. (What kind of valve is this?) What direction do I turn? I tried clockwise, but a bit of water started leaking out of the screw and freaked me out. I turned it back exactly as it was, and thank God, it stopped.

Is it possible to turn the screw the wrong way and for water to shoot out? Is it normal to drip a bit from the screw as you turn it?

Any helpful hints would be great.

Thanks.

 

[jeffmattero76]

I never saw a valve like that, but, to turn the water off, you would rotate that valve clockwise until it stops for a gate or globe valve) or, if it is a ball valve, it should 9nly turn 1/4 turn to stop the water. I wouldn't worry about a few drops of water coming out of the valve as you turn it. That will likely stop once you have the valve off.

 

[sciemulo]

So, I got it to about a quarter turn, and the leaking from the stem just got worse.

I appreciate your help, but I'm far too paranoid to attempt it myself. I'll have to call somebody.

It's a shame that such a simple fix can be impeded by a crappy valve, although I'm sure that's the story of your life. =P

Thanks again.

 

[Diehard]

That valve kind of looks like a Lock Shield Valve. Used to be tamper resistant because they are either an adjusted valve for such things as balancing and/or when they are located in public facilities, to prevent unauthorized use.

Now not that it makes a difference but what I am seeing is not a Phillips head but a slot head screw with that outer shield piece.

Did you happen to have the water flowing so that you could observe what affect your turning had on the flow?

If it does have a full off position, which it may or may not, that should stop the leaking water you are getting.