theneedmachine
New member
If you have a watering system, at some point, you will experience a leaky water valve that can kill your rats or mice! I have had one leaky valve kill 36 rats in one night. They do sell replacement parts and buying a new valve is pretty cheap as well....But when you dont have one on hand, the time to wait, or have to many to replace them all, here is a simple way that I refurb my leaky valves.
This is nothing special and anyone can do it.
1.Pull valve from system
2. Unscrew Valve Cap from Valve seat, a set of plyers may be needed if it has been awhile since it has been adjusted.
* Once unscrewed you will see the black O ring around the valve seat, remove it.
* You will also be able to pull the valve stem from the valve seat. You can also use the valve stem to pry out the pink O ring that is in the top of the valve seat.
* Inside the Valve Cap there is a blue Diaphram, using the valve stem again, pry the Diaphram out.
3. Here are all the parts of the valve below.
4.After all parts have been removed:
* Clean everything in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Make sure the three holes in the Diaphram are clear, as they like to hold sand and grit.
* I use an old tooth brush and clean the threads of the Valve seat and Valve Cap.
5. Using a waterproof Multi-purpose lubricant-sealant:
* cover both O rings, inside and out. The sealant that I use is called Lube Tube. It is Waterproof, Non-Toxic, Biodegradable,prevents rust and corrosion, compatible with plastic, metal, and rubber.
* Place Lubricant on threads of Valve Seat and inside top of the valve seat where the pink O ring sits.
6. Place everything back together in the reverse order. Run some water through the valve and adjust the water flow according to what animal will be using it. Test it, and if all looks well replace back in your pets cage.
Hope this helps...the Pink O ring is usually the root cause of valve failure. If lubing does not fix your problem replace it first.
This is nothing special and anyone can do it.
1.Pull valve from system
2. Unscrew Valve Cap from Valve seat, a set of plyers may be needed if it has been awhile since it has been adjusted.
* Once unscrewed you will see the black O ring around the valve seat, remove it.
* You will also be able to pull the valve stem from the valve seat. You can also use the valve stem to pry out the pink O ring that is in the top of the valve seat.
* Inside the Valve Cap there is a blue Diaphram, using the valve stem again, pry the Diaphram out.
3. Here are all the parts of the valve below.
4.After all parts have been removed:
* Clean everything in warm soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Make sure the three holes in the Diaphram are clear, as they like to hold sand and grit.
* I use an old tooth brush and clean the threads of the Valve seat and Valve Cap.
5. Using a waterproof Multi-purpose lubricant-sealant:
* cover both O rings, inside and out. The sealant that I use is called Lube Tube. It is Waterproof, Non-Toxic, Biodegradable,prevents rust and corrosion, compatible with plastic, metal, and rubber.
* Place Lubricant on threads of Valve Seat and inside top of the valve seat where the pink O ring sits.
6. Place everything back together in the reverse order. Run some water through the valve and adjust the water flow according to what animal will be using it. Test it, and if all looks well replace back in your pets cage.
Hope this helps...the Pink O ring is usually the root cause of valve failure. If lubing does not fix your problem replace it first.