Trying to turn the gas shut off handle back on after working.?

Question

I turned the main shut off valve off to work on the gas line, and now need to turn it back on to test for leaks. It won't turn. No matter how hard I try. It feels like I'm going to break the handle off. I'm pretty sure I'm turning it the right way because it has a little k**b in one direction that seems to be a stop. Is there some trick I'm missing?

Answer 1

No tricks, it should just turn.  With a handle this is probably a ball/globe valve which are are ususally easy to turn.  I guess you've tried to turn it the other way.  The only other suggestion I would have is to try spraying some wd40 on it, providing we are talking about natural gas and not another gas like oxygen.

Answer 2

get a monkey wrench.

Answer 3

Just remember if this is the main outdoor gas shut off.  when turning it back on turn it very slowly to avoid blowing the regulator out.  

As for a ball valve like the ones you would find inside.  They should not be hard to turn unless your turning the wrong way.  Maybe somthing failed in the valve.  Stuck ring or somthing.  

Maybe get the valve changed.

Answer 4

If it is the Main shoutoff outside by your meter then "No." no trick per say just turn it so that the two holes (where they would put a lock to lock you out) are 90 degrees off from each other and you should be good to go.  The long rectangular part of the valve that you are trying to turn works best with a decent size crescent wrench.  They do make a special tool just for the job that gives you a good transfer of power to the valve.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

A correct gas valve shout have a nut on the opposite side of the stem that you are trying to turn. You can loosen this nut to make it turn easier. Gas valves turn all the way around though. There should not be a "stop."