Understanding Gate Valves

A gate valve normally has a gate in it which goes up and down as the handle of the valve is turned.  If the handle spins
without any apparent effect on the valve, then the gate on the valve may be stripped out or missing.

One of the most common problems with the gate valve is that the valve packing can dry out and cause the valve to leak at the shaft.  This can create real problems if the valve is located on the suction side of the pump.  It will suck in a lot of air, making it difficult to prime the pump.  Sometimes, it is possible to tighten the packing nut and eliminate the air leak, but sometimes it is necessary to re-pack the valve.

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