shut off valve

[Fritz]

I have this kind of ball shut off, except 1/2" solder. It leaks a bit when off and a bit more at full on, but is ok at 50%.
What kind of maintenance might this require?
Tighten? Re-pack? Replace? Hurling insults?

[btfc]

Try tightening, but likely you’ll have to repack.

[NewtonMP2100]

.....people are always saying......shut the 'valve'......up......

[mattkime]

Repacking would be easiest since you wouldn’t need to remove the unit it self

[August West]

I'm goin' with the hurl insults. It's a damn pandemic after all.

[space-time]

when a plumber replaced the multi-turn water shut off with 1/4 turn ball valve at my old place, he did tighten the packing nut. I asked why, he said sometimes they leak.

I know you can re-pack a multi-turn valve (essentially taking the stem out and replacing the gaskets, or even replacing the entire stem with a new one. I don't think you can do that with 1/4 ball shut off valves, but previous posters said it can be done, so yeah, try that if tightening the valve does not stop the leak.

Do you have another valve to shut off water at that valve? and do you have a backup plan if things go wrong? this is why I don't like messing with plumbing. With electricity you shut off one circuit and the entire house is still functional.

[MrNoBody]

Some of the newer valves have a double o-ring assembly. Older ones I
guess you have to repack, though I can't picture how that's done.
New sweat valve is $9, shark-bite $15-20.
Good luck!

[rgG]

My old style hose bib, round wheel on top, had been leaking for a while. I was pleasantly surprised when all I needed to do was tighten the packing nut a little. I would start with that.

[deckeda]

I've never heard of a ball valve that used gaskets nor packing? Basically, you're doomed.

[Fritz]

doing some further investigation, apparently the ball valve does have a packing nut under the top nut that holds the handle on.
The packing nut is perhaps 1/8" thick.
Many read as give that a tweak and it should fix the issue.
It is a Mueller B&K, a quality valve, so hopefully ....

Pretty sure the shut off in front of it is right below it in the basement with the cave crickets, spookities and 6 eyed speedersaurus.

I would not like to replace this one as it is sweated on right up against an interior wall with no space behind. Cutting it out wouldn't be fun and I'd think it be an easier replace with a shark-bite.