Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Irrigation

Overtightened Manual Bleed Screw on Brass Valve: Repair Options

Stripped Manual Bleed Screw on Superior Brass Valve

Over-tightened the flathead manual bleed screw on 10+ year old brass Superior valve. Screw spins freely, leaks at various positions.

Assessment

The screw threads in the valve bonnet are stripped. The screw itself may also be damaged.

Repair Options (Best to Least Reliable)

Replace valve bonnet assembly — if available for this model (check Superior/now Toro parts)
Replace entire valve — most reliable, modern valves are better
Larger self-tapping screw — low success rate, temporary at best
Epoxy/JB Weld — not recommended for pressurized water systems

Recommendation

Replace the valve. At 10+ years, the diaphragm and seals are due anyway. Anti-siphon valves must be replaced as complete units. Use this opportunity to upgrade to a current-model valve with better flow characteristics and available parts.

Irrigation: Troubleshooting a Sprinkler Zone That Shows Active but Delivers No Water; Anti‑Siphon Valve Leaks – Install Inline Valve Instead; Rain Bird ESP-LX "Fault 4" Code: Zone Skipped; Sprinkler Solenoid Testing After Controller Voltage Confirmed—Ohmmeter Method; Why a Sprinkler Head Leaks When the System Is Off: Diaphragm Wear; Sprinkler and Drip System Not Activating: Master Valve or Main Supply Issue; Hardie 1.5" Valve Slow Leak – Diaphragm or Cracked Body; Choosing a Sprinkler Valve for Low-Pressure Tank Drainage; Leaking Hardie Valves: Diaphragm Replacement vs. Full Valve Swap; Hardie 700 Series Valve Leak: Rebuild vs. Replace

Garden Articles

Control Valve Won't Shut Off – Replace Valve After Diaphragm Fails

SlimDial Timer: Zone Stays On After Off – Valve or Controller?

One Sprinkler Head Leaks at Low Pressure: Valve Not Sealing

Hardie HR-6100 Controller: System Won't Shut Off

Sprinkler System Manual Start: Solenoid Buzz, No Pressure, One Head Seeps

Leaky Zone After Two Valve Replacements: Flush Debris from Lowest Valve

Constant Seepage from One Sprinkler Head: Valve or Drainage?

Plants

Lawn Sprinkler Zone Runs Continuously: Valve Diaphragm or Solenoid Failure

Sprinkler Station Won’t Shut Off – How to Turn Off Water Supply

Fixing Leaky Sprinkler Heads and Low-Pressure Zones

New Timer Installed: One Zone Has Lower Pressure Than Manual Operation

Diagnosing a Dead Zone in a 6-Zone In-Ground Sprinkler System

Overtightened Manual Bleed Screw on Brass Valve: Repair Options

Sprinkler Shut-Off Valve Leaks After Turning On: Curb Stop Failure