Originally Posted by Linctex
Originally Posted by Dave9
A new valve, keep it all the way open, but not as hard as you can turn, and "sometimes" I find, that if it's getting older and sediment has built up, that you might slow or stop a leak if you open it all the way then turn it back a quarter turn, then it may drip but the sediment seals the leak while you have a drip pan under it... seems fiddly, but a lot less work than a trip to the hardware store and rebuilding and/or replacing it. If it doesn't stop dripping then you know, you need do more.
Some variation of this. ^^
I never open them "ALL the way"
These valves are not machined for a "back seating" function.
That's only on Oxygen tanks and pretty much nothing else.
Agreed. If it's a gate, needle, globe, plug, etc.. water valve like this, especially the cheaply made ones, there's no advantage to back seating. I too like to open fully, then close them slightly so I can move them in both directions if need be. You're right on most of your standard cylinder gas valves. They're designed to be back seated. I see that a lot at work. Still pucker every time I have to crack a cylinder open on a high pressure tube trailer. LOL.