Screw head on plastic valve gone...

[Vicster]

Hello

So after watching lots of You Tube videos I was keen to replace a cartridge thing in pillar tap/faucet, but to disconnect the water locally I need to twist a valve just 45 degrees to shut water off.  I can do it with the hot water one but the cold water dis connector valve thing the screw head has been misshapen and there is no way to grip it to turn it...I've attached a pic of type of valves as you can see on top you use screwdriver to twist....

I would turn off at the stop-cock but that is a bit dodge, leaking and too big a job for me to tackle.

Any ways I can disconnect water locally using misshapen valve?

Thanks in advance
Vicky

[Le Poisson]

Are the pipes plastic as well? Do you have access to the whole house shutoff in the basement?

I would be shutting down the water to the house, cutting out the valve, and replacing it with something you can shut off by hand. You may not have time to find a tool when your next water crisis happens.

[lthenderson]

Although I would recommend replacing the valve with something that has a handle for future use, as a stopgap measure, I have superglued a rod to the top of stripped out plastic screws and then used vicegrips to gently get things shut off.

[Vicster]

Although I would recommend replacing the valve with something that has a handle for future use, as a stopgap measure, I have superglued a rod to the top of stripped out plastic screws and then used vicegrips to gently get things shut off.

clever, thanks

[paddedhat]

Take a cheap straight blade screwdriver and, using a torch, or even a gas burner flame, heat the tip up until it's bring red. Stick it in the slot, gently push the tip into the plastic until it's 2-3 MM deep. Now take a cold wet rag, and cool the end of the screwdriver, and the valve. Pull the screwdriver out, admire your work, and be amazed at the new screwdriver slot you made. 

[HipGnosis]

Take a cheap straight blade screwdriver and, using a torch, or even a gas burner flame, heat the tip up until it's bring red. Stick it in the slot, gently push the tip into the plastic until it's 2-3 MM deep. Now take a cold wet rag, and cool the end of the screwdriver, and the valve. Pull the screwdriver out, admire your work, and be amazed at the new screwdriver slot you made.

:)