Lubricate Waste Valves

[tslarson]

Looks like I just found my first project of the day. Great idea!

[Houston Remodeler]

Good idea. Mine are getting sticky

[moallen]

It's a good idea to lubricate the steel shaft attached to the handle of a waste valve to keep the shaft guide from wearing out. But that doesn't help much to lube the slide inside the valve. The slide gets hard to open and close, which puts stress on the valve. It's nearly impossible to lubricate the slide inside without taking the valve apart, which is no one's idea of fun.

I can't take credit for this idea but thought I'd pass it on. I drilled a 7/64" hole in the end of each of my waste valves and then tapped each for an 8-32 screw. I'm going to replace these screws with stainless steel ones as soon as possible.

Now I can lube the inside using a plastic extension on a can of silicon spray lubricant. I open and close the valve several times while spraying for about 5 seconds.

waste_valve_lube_hole.jpg (80.83 KiB) Viewed 1912 times

By the way, you should never use a petroleum based lube on plastic parts, for example WD-40. The plastic will eventually deteriorate. Rule of thumb - if it says flammable, don't use it. Only silicone spray or silicone grease is safe on plastic.

Silicone spray is also good for the sliding plate in a toilet.