The Way To Open A Stuck Cast Iron Gate Valve

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A Cast Iron Gate Valve consists of an actuator—such as a lever, a hand wheel or an electric motor—a housing, which holds the valve mechanism, and a gate—a rectangular or circular piece of metal that acts like the gate on a fence. When the gate is raised, liquids or gases can pass through the gate. When the gate is closed, the flow stops.
The best-known example of a gate valve is a household faucet: when you turn the handle, you raise or lower the gate and the water flows or stops.
Identify the valve
1 Identify whether you’re dealing with a gate valve or not. A gate valve is typically wedge-shaped.
2 Gate valves allow water to flow in a straight line, and the valve acts like a gate to stop the flow of water.
3 When Cast Steel Gate Valve are open wide, they leave an opening for water flow through the valve that is the same size as the pipe entering and exiting the valve.
Identify the problem
1 Cut off the water supply to the defective valve if possible to isolate your work area and reduce the risk of creating additional leaks or repairs.
2 Eliminate and examine any outside factors that could be causing the valve to malfunction, such as a damaged water line or excessive cold.
3 Place a bucket beneath the offending valve in case getting it unstuck involves its ultimate removal. Gate valves that have not been opened and closed periodically can suffer excessive buildup, affecting the valve’s operation.
Fix the problem
1 Apply a light coat of 3-IN-ONE oil or another type of penetrating oil to the valve, wiping off the excess. You must get the oil onto the valve threads. Tap the valve with a small hand tool, such as a hammer or wrench, to see if the valve will give.
2 Attach an adjustable wrench or channel locks over the valve handle, using a rag or non-slip gloves to work the tool and give you additional leverage. Keep the surface stable with another pipe wrench so as not to twist any of the surrounding pipe or fittings.
3 Warm up handle with a hair dryer or (very gently) with a blowtorch if excessive cold is the culprit for the stuck valve. Use extreme caution with a blowtorch. You want to keep yourself and your property safe.
The article comes from Gate Valve.

From Ball Valve Manufacturers, post The Way To Open A Stuck Cast Iron Gate Valve