Dezintegrarea tubului de scufundare a încălzitorului de apă: peleți de plastic și supratensiuni de opărire¶

Finding mysterious white, cream-colored, or translucent plastic granules clogging faucet aerators and showerheads is a classic indicator of water heater dip tube disintegration. These plastic particles resemble small rice grains, brittle flakes, or crushed eggshells. They migrate silently through domestic hot water piping, choking plumbing fixtures, jamming washing machine solenoids, and disabling single-lever mixing cartridges.

The dip tube is a long plastic pipe installed inside the cold water inlet port of a storage-tank water heater. Its primary engineering function is directing dense, incoming cold water straight to the very bottom of the tank. Heating elements in electric tanks or the gas combustion burner beneath a gas tank heat the water at the base. Natural thermal stratification keeps the hottest, lowest-density water resting at the top of the vessel, where the hot outlet pipe draws it into the home.

When a dip tube degrades and breaks apart, cold water empties directly into the top of the tank, mixing immediately with the hottest water layer. This thermal short-circuit destroys temperature stratification. Residents notice an abrupt loss of hot water capacity, with hot water running lukewarm after only two to three minutes of use.

More dangerously, broken plastic fragments lodge inside pressure-balancing and thermostatic anti-scald shower valves. When a mixing valve spool jams, pressure balancing fails, exposing bathers to sudden, uncontrolled surges of scalding hot water.

Fă asta acum¶

De-energize the water heater immediately by switching off the dedicated 240-volt two-pole circuit breaker at the electrical panel, or rotate the gas control thermostat knob to the Pilot or Off position. Shut off the cold water supply valve located on the inlet pipe directly above the top of the water heater tank. Unscrew and clean the aerator screens on all household faucets, collecting the trapped debris in a container to verify the presence of white polypropylene or polyethylene plastic fragments. Stop using showers equipped with single-lever pressure-balancing valves until the system is flushed, protecting bathers from sudden scalding surges caused by jammed balancing spools.

Connect a heavy-duty garden hose to the tank drain valve at the bottom of the water heater, running the discharge end to an outdoor drain or floor drain to flush out settling plastic sediment. Open a hot water faucet on an upper floor to break tank vacuum, then open the lower drain valve slightly to confirm water flow and inspect the flushed effluent for plastic crumbs. Procure an approved replacement cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) or polypropylene dip tube with an integrated dielectric nipple before disconnecting tank fittings.

Materials science of dip tube disintegration¶

Thermal stratification loss and short-circuiting physics¶

When the dip tube disintegrates, this fluid dynamic structure collapses through thermal short-circuiting:

Anti-scald valve mechanics and scalding surge hazards¶

First, debris clogs the internal fine-mesh stainless steel inlet screens. As plastic flakes compact against the hot inlet screen, water pressure drops precipitously on the hot side of the cartridge. The user turns the temperature handle further toward full hot to compensate for the weak flow.

Second, microscopic plastic crumbs bypass torn screens and lodge inside the narrow clearance gaps of the sliding balancing spool. Shower valve spools operate with mechanical tolerances under 0.05 millimeters (0.002 inches). A single plastic flake wedges the brass or stainless steel spool permanently in place.

Third, catastrophic thermal surging occurs. If the spool jams in an open-hot position, the valve loses its ability to react to pressure fluctuations. If someone in the household uses cold water elsewhere, cold pressure to the shower collapses while unattenuated hot water pours through the uncompensated cartridge.

The physiological danger of scalding water is severe. At 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit), hot water causes a deep third-degree burn to adult human skin in less than five seconds. For infants, young children, and older adults with thinner epidermis, third-degree burns occur in less than one second at this temperature. Jammed mixing valves turn ordinary showers into life-threatening burn hazards.

Diagnostic triage: confirming dip tube degradation¶

Technicians and homeowners must distinguish between dip tube disintegration, water softener resin bead tank ruptures, and municipal sand infiltration. These three plumbing failures present similar symptoms of particulate contamination at fixtures, but their chemical composition, origin, and remediation methods differ fundamentally.

Execute this systematic diagnostic triage protocol:

Step 1: Physical examination of collected particulates¶

Unscrew aerators from two or three faucets in the home. Collect the trapped particles into a clean white ceramic bowl or glass dish. Examine the physical properties of the granules under bright light:

• Dip tube fragments: White, cream, translucent, or light gray. They are flat, irregular flakes, curved slivers, or jagged granules. They feel hard, rigid, and brittle when pressed with a fingernail.
• Water softener resin beads: Amber, orange, golden-brown, or translucent spheres. They are perfectly spherical, uniform in size (0.5 to 1.0 millimeter in diameter), and feel squishy or rubbery like fish eggs when squeezed between fingers.
• Calcium carbonate scale: White, tan, or chalky mineral chunks. They are irregular, rough, and crush into a fine powdery chalk under moderate thumb pressure.
• Municipal sand and silt: Brown, black, or dark gray crystalline grains that feel sharp and gritty, completely resisting fingernail compression.

Step 2: The thermal flame test¶

Perform a controlled flame test to verify the organic polymer structure of the debris:

Place two or three clean, dry particles onto the blade of an old metal putty knife or a piece of aluminum foil. Hold a lighter flame beneath the metal surface for three to five seconds. Observe the melting behavior: Polypropylene and polyethylene dip tube fragments will melt smoothly into a clear liquid bead, burn with a blue flame featuring a yellow tip, and produce a distinctive odor resembling burning candle wax or paraffin.

Calcium carbonate scale and municipal sand will not melt, burn, or emit wax odors under flame exposure. Water softener resin beads will blacken, crackle, and emit an acrid, fishy, amine chemical stench.

Step 3: Distribution isolation check¶

Check whether the particulate contamination affects hot water lines exclusively or appears across both cold and hot distribution branches:

Turn on a cold water faucet that has had its aerator removed, catching water in a white bucket for 60 seconds. Repeat the test using only the hot water tap. If plastic granules discharge exclusively from the hot water lines while the cold lines run completely clear, the contamination originates directly within the water heater tank. If particles appear equally in cold-only fixtures such as outdoor hose bibbs and toilet fill valves, the issue is water softener resin failure or municipal water main contamination.

flowchart TD
    Start["White Plastic Flakes Found in Faucet Aerator"] --> FlameTest["Perform Putty Knife Flame Test on Dry Particle"]
    FlameTest --> MeltsWax{"Does Particle Melt Like Candle Wax?"}

    MeltsWax -- "Nu" --> ScaleCheck["Test Particle in Vinegar: Scale or Sand Identified"]
    MeltsWax -- "Da" --> CheckCold{"Do Flakes Appear in Cold Water Lines?"}

    CheckCold -- "Da" --> SoftenerRupture["Water Softener Resin Failure Identified"]
    CheckCold -- "Nu" --> DipTubeConfirmed["Water Heater Dip Tube Disintegration Confirmed"]

    DipTubeConfirmed --> CutPower["De-energize Water Heater (Electric Breaker / Gas Knob)"]
    CutPower --> IsolateCold["Close Cold Water Supply Valve Above Tank"]
    IsolateCold --> FlushTank["Connect Garden Hose to Drain Valve; Flush Bottom Silt"]

    FlushTank --> RemoveNipple["Unthread Cold Inlet Nipple and Extract Remnants"]
    RemoveNipple --> InstallPEX["Install New PEX Curved Dip Tube with Dielectric Nipple"]
    InstallPEX --> RefillTank["Refill Tank Completely and Purge Air from System"]

    RefillTank --> FlushLines["Remove All Aerators and Flush Whole-Home Hot Lines"]
    FlushLines --> ClearCartridges["Disassemble and Clear Anti-Scald Shower Spools"]
    ClearCartridges --> RestoreHeat["Re-energize Water Heater and Test Temperatures"]

Step-by-step dip tube replacement protocol¶

Replacing a water heater dip tube requires moderate mechanical proficiency, proper plumbing wrenches, and strict adherence to safety protocols. A competent homeowner or licensed plumbing professional can complete this repair in two to three hours.

Required tools and equipment¶

• Heavy-duty 350-millimeter (14-inch) or 450-millimeter (18-inch) pipe wrench to break loose the stubborn factory-installed cold inlet nipple.
• Second pipe wrench or large adjustable wrench to hold the inlet pipe and counteract torque.
• Replacement dip tube: Purchase a commercial cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) or high-density polypropylene dip tube sized to match tank capacity. Make sure the tube includes a ¾-inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) dielectric steel or brass nipple. Many replacement tubes incorporate a curved lower tip designed to create a vortex swirl that scours bottom sediment.
• Roll of heavy-duty polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thread seal tape (Teflon tape) rated for potable water service.
• High-temperature anaerobic pipe thread sealant (pipe dope) approved for domestic plumbing.
• Heavy-duty 19-millimeter (0.75-inch) inside diameter garden hose for tank draining.
• Slip-joint pliers, small wire pick, and flashlight for extracting fragmented plastic remnants from the tank collar.

Step 1: Isolation and partial tank draining¶

Switch off the 240-volt electric circuit breaker feeding the water heater. If servicing a natural gas or propane unit, turn the gas control thermostat dial clockwise to the Pilot or Off position. Close the cold water isolation shutoff valve located directly above the water heater on the incoming supply line. Attach the garden hose to the brass or plastic drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Route the opposite end of the hose to a floor drain, basement sump pit, or outdoor lawn area downhill from the heater. Open the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve lever slightly at the top of the tank, or open a hot water tap on an upper floor.

This introduces air into the top of the cylinder, allowing water to drain smoothly without creating a vacuum lock. Open the lower drain valve and evacuate approximately 20 to 40 liters (5 to 10 gallons) of water. It is unnecessary to drain the entire 150 to 300-liter (40 to 80-gallon) tank. Draining 20 to 40 liters lowers the internal water level below the cold inlet fitting, preventing water from spilling over the tank collar during nipple removal. Close the bottom drain valve once the water level drops below the top fittings.

Step 2: Disconnecting the cold water inlet line¶

Examine the plumbing union or flexible connector above the cold water inlet port (labeled Cold or marked with a blue plastic ring on top of the tank):

For installations utilizing flexible corrugated copper, stainless steel, or braided connectors, use an adjustable wrench to loosen the female ¾-inch coupling nut connected to the tank nipple. Hold the tank nipple with a second wrench to avoid twisting the fitting inside the tank shell.

For rigid copper installations with a dielectric union, unthread the central brass union nut using two opposing pipe wrenches. Pivot the disconnected copper supply pipe slightly upward or sideways to clear the top of the tank nipple.

Step 3: Unthreading the cold inlet nipple¶

Factory-installed inlet nipples are threaded into the tank spud using aggressive pneumatic torque and anaerobic thread-locking compounds at the manufacturing plant. They frequently require substantial manual torque to break loose.

1. Seat a 350-millimeter (14-inch) or 450-millimeter (18-inch) pipe wrench firmly around the hexagonal body or cylindrical pipe wall of the cold inlet nipple, positioning the wrench teeth as close to the tank surface as possible.
2. Apply smooth, steady counterclockwise force to the wrench handle. If the nipple resists initial movement, strike the end of the wrench handle sharply with a rubber mallet to break the thread bond.
3. Unthread the nipple completely from the female tank spud.

Step 4: Extracting old dip tube remnants¶

In many cases, the plastic dip tube collar is integrated directly into the steel nipple. Lifting the nipple will withdraw whatever portion of the tube remains intact.

If the dip tube has separated from the nipple and slipped into the tank spud, look down into the female threaded opening with a bright flashlight. The flared plastic collar of the tube typically rests on an internal steel ledge inside the opening.

Insert a curved wire pick, needle-nose pliers, or your index finger into the center of the plastic collar. Pry the collar upward gently, rocking it back and forth until it releases from the opening. Pull the remaining length of the broken tube out of the tank.

If loose plastic gravel or fragments are visible resting on the internal spud threads, clean them out thoroughly using a shop vacuum fitted with a narrow crevice tool or a clean lint-free cloth. Inspect the female steel threads for rust or damage.

Step 5: Preparing and installing the new dip tube¶

Compare the length of the new dip tube to the depth of the water heater tank. The bottom of the replacement tube should terminate approximately 100 to 150 millimeters (4 to 6 inches) above the bottom tank floor. If the new tube is too long and hits the bottom head of the tank, trim the plastic tube square using a sharp plastic pipe cutter or fine-tooth hacksaw. Deburr the cut edge carefully. If installing an independent dip tube that uses a separate nipple, slide the new tube into the tank spud until its flared plastic rim seats squarely onto the internal shelf. If installing a combined dip tube and dielectric nipple assembly, wrap the male ¾-inch NPT threads of the steel nipple with four to five clockwise wraps of high-density PTFE thread seal tape.

Apply a thin, even coat of approved pipe thread sealant over the tape. Insert the assembly into the tank opening. If using a curved vortex dip tube, note the directional arrow stamped on the nipple hex. Align the arrow so the lower curved tip points away from the lower tank drain valve or toward the tank circumference as specified by the manufacturer. Thread the nipple into the tank spud clockwise by hand to avoid cross-threading. Tighten the nipple firmly using a pipe wrench, turning it approximately two to three full turns past finger-tight until securely seated.

Step 6: Reconnecting plumbing and refilling the vessel¶

Reatașați uniunea dielectrică sau conectorul flexibil de apă în partea superioară a noului niplu de admisie. Înlocuiți întotdeauna șaibe de unire dielectrică din cauciuc sau fibră pentru a garanta o îmbinare etanșă. Strângeți ferm conexiunile cu cheile opuse. Închideți supapa de siguranță de temperatură și presiune (T&P) dacă a fost deschisă mai devreme. Deschideți toate mânerele robinetului de apă caldă din toată casa (bucătărie, baie principală, băi pentru oaspeți). Deschideți încet robinetul de închidere a alimentării cu apă rece deasupra încălzitorului de apă. Apa va începe să curgă în porțiunea goală a rezervorului.

Keep the hot faucets open while the tank fills. Initially, compressed air will hiss loudly out of the fixture spouts. When water flows steadily from all opened hot faucets in solid streams without sputtering, coughing, or air blasts, the tank is completely full. Close all faucet taps. Inspect the newly installed nipple, unions, and joints under full static pressure for at least 15 minutes to verify zero weeping or dripping. Re-energize the water heater: Switch the 240-volt electrical circuit breaker back on, or rotate the gas control knob from Pilot to On, adjusting the thermostat to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).

Whole-home plumbing system clearing and cartridge flushing¶

Installing a new dip tube halts the creation of new plastic debris, but millions of crumbs remain suspended inside the water heater tank and scattered throughout the hot distribution lines. Failing to purge these residual fragments guarantees recurring fixture clogs and persistent anti-scald valve jamming. Execute this systematic whole-home clearing protocol.

       [ Water Heater Restored & Pressurized ]
                         |
       [ Step 1: High-Velocity Tank Bottom Flush ]
       (Clear settling plastic crumbs from tank floor)
                         |
       [ Step 2: Remove All Faucet Aerators & Showerheads ]
       (Prevent fragments from compacting into screens)
                         |
       [ Step 3: High-Volume Hot Water Purge ]
       (Flush each branch line for 3 - 5 minutes)
                         |
       [ Step 4: Appliance Inlet Screen Extraction ]
       (Clean washing machine and dishwasher valves)
                         |
       [ Step 5: Disassemble & Flush Shower Mixing Spools ]
       (Restore anti-scald balance to prevent surges)

High-velocity tank bottom flush¶

Plastic fragments that broke off the old dip tube sink to the bottom of the water heater, where they form a thick layer of plastic sludge. If left in the tank, turbulence from normal water use will continually pump these fragments into the hot water discharge pipe.

Connect a 19-millimeter (0.75-inch) commercial rubber garden hose to the lower tank drain valve. Route the hose to a safe exterior discharge point or into a large plastic utility tub lined with a fine mesh paint strainer bag. Keep the cold water supply valve open and pressurized. Open the tank drain valve completely.

The full dynamic municipal water pressure will churn the bottom head of the tank, blasting water and plastic pellets through the drain valve into the strainer bag. Flush the tank for 5 to 10 minutes until the discharged water runs crystal clear and the mesh bag collects no further plastic flakes. Close the drain valve and disconnect the hose.

Systematic fixture purging¶

Purge the household distribution network sequentially from the nearest fixture to the most distant terminal:

Walk through the residence and unscrew the aerator housings from every bathroom and kitchen faucet spout. Remove all showerheads and hand-held wands. Open the hot water tap fully on the fixture closest to the water heater (typically a basement utility sink or laundry tub). Run water at maximum velocity for three full minutes to flush the primary trunk line. Move progressively through the building, opening each hot water fixture on the ground floor, then advancing to the second floor.

Run each faucet wide open for two to three minutes. Catch the flushed water in clean white buckets periodically to check for declining particulate counts. Clean the removed aerators and showerhead screens by back-flushing them under a cold water tap and picking out trapped plastic slivers with a soft toothbrush. Reinstall aerators only after the lines run entirely free of particles.

Clearing washing machine and dishwasher solenoids¶

Washing machines and dishwashers are highly vulnerable to dip tube debris. Fast-closing solenoid valves incorporate fine plastic mesh filters that trap pellets, causing severe flow restrictions, extended fill errors (such as error codes IE, 4E, or F20), or stuck-open valve floods.

Disconnect the electrical power cords to the washing machine and dishwasher. Close the hot water supply shutoff valves feeding both appliances. Unthread the hot water supply hose from the rear of the washing machine. Look inside the threaded hot inlet port of the appliance valve manifold. Using needle-nose pliers or a small dental pick, extract the small cylindrical inlet filter screen.

Flush the screen clean under running tap water to remove compacted plastic flakes, then reinsert it firmly into the valve port. Reconnect the hose and test for smooth water fill. For dishwashers, access the ⅜-inch compression or ¾-inch GHT brass inlet water valve located behind the lower kickplate. Disconnect the supply tube and inspect the valve inlet port for plastic contamination.

Restoring and flushing anti-scald shower cartridges¶

If a shower valve continues to exhibit temperature fluctuations, reduced hot flow, or scalding surges after the main lines are flushed, plastic debris is lodged inside the cartridge balancing spool. The shower cartridge must be extracted and disassembled.

Shut off the water supply to the shower. Close the dedicated integral screwdriver stop valves located inside the shower wall behind the trim plate, or close the main building water shutoff. Remove the shower handle by prying off the index cap and unthreading the central set screw with an Allen wrench or Phillips screwdriver. Slide off the chrome decorative sleeve and unthread the large brass cartridge retaining nut or pull the stainless steel U-shaped cartridge retention clip upward with pliers. Grasp the cartridge stem with pliers and pull the cartridge straight out of the brass valve body. Note the orientation of the hot and cold indicator markings. Shake the cartridge near your ear. In functional pressure-balancing cartridges (such as Moen Posi-Temp, Kohler Rite-Temp, or Delta Monitor), the internal balancing spool should rattle freely back and forth.

Dacă cartuşul nu zdrăngăneşte, resturile de plastic blochează bobina. Înmuiați cartușul într-o soluție 50/50 de apă caldă și oțet alb distilat pentru a dizolva calamul mineral și bateți puternic carcasa de plastic de un bloc de lemn pentru a disloca peleții de plastic prinși. Dacă bobina internă rămâne blocată sau componentele interne din plastic sunt înțepate, aruncați cartușul și instalați un nou cartuş de schimb OEM. Înainte de a introduce noul cartuş, ţineţi o găleată goală peste cavitatea deschisă a supapei din alamă din interiorul peretelui. Rugați un asistent să deschidă opritorul principal de apă timp de cinci secunde. Acest lucru aruncă apă de înaltă presiune direct prin turnarea supapei brute, eliminând orice fragmente de plastic rămase prinse în picăturile de alimentare din perete înainte de a putea contamina noul cartuş. Lubrifiați inelele O de cauciuc ale cartușului nou cu unsoare siliconică pură pentru instalații sanitare (nu folosiți vaselină), glisați cartușul în corpul supapei, reinstalați clema de reținere și reasamblați garnitura.

Întrebări frecvente¶

Pot să-mi pornesc încălzitorul de apă fără tub?¶

Operarea unui încălzitor de apă cu rezervor de stocare fără un tub scufundator funcțional este sigură din punct de vedere mecanic, dar distruge performanța apei calde. Fără un tub de scufundare, apa rece care intră în partea de sus a rezervorului și diluează cea mai fierbinte apă imediat înainte de a ieși în casă. Capacitatea de apă caldă scade cu peste 75 la sută, ceea ce face ca dușurile să fie călduțe în două până la trei minute. Înlocuirea tubului de scufundare este necesară pentru a restabili stratificarea termică corespunzătoare și volumul normal de apă caldă.

Pelelele din plastic sunt toxice sau dăunătoare dacă sunt înghițite?¶

Fragmentele de plastic din tuburile de scufundare dezintegrate sunt fabricate din polipropilenă sau polietilenă de calitate alimentară netoxică, care nu scurge substanțe chimice periculoase în apa potabilă. Ingerarea de firimituri mici prezintă un risc minim de toxicitate chimică, deși particulele fizice pot provoca iritații ușoare sau sufocare la copiii mici. Cu toate acestea, adevăratul pericol medical al eșecului tubului de scufundare este opărirea fizică, deoarece fragmentele de plastic în derivă blochează supapele de duș anti-opărire, producând supratensiuni severe de arsuri termice.

De ce încălzitorul meu de apă a produs fulgi de plastic dacă are doar câțiva ani?¶

În timp ce tuburile de scufundare din polipropilenă defecte au fost fabricate în principal între 1993 și 1997, tuburile de scufundare moderne se pot dezintegra prematur sub solicitări specifice de funcționare. Setarea termostatului încălzitorului de apă la peste 65 de grade Celsius (149 de grade Fahrenheit) accelerează puternic degradarea termică a materialelor plastice moderne. Nivelurile ridicate de cloramină municipală, apa acidă de puț sau un element de încălzire electric defect care supraîncălzi straturile locale de apă pot provoca, de asemenea, ruperea tuburilor de polietilenă sau polipropilenă reticulate mai noi.

Cum îmi pot da seama dacă robinetul meu de duș este înfundat cu pelete de plastic?¶

A shower valve clogged with dip tube fragments typically exhibits an immediate drop in hot water flow while cold water pressure remains normal, forcing users to rotate the handle much further toward the hot limit. If the shower temperature fluctuates wildly when other fixtures are used, or suddenly surges to scalding hot temperatures, plastic debris has jammed the internal pressure-balancing spool. The cartridge must be removed, flushed, or replaced to restore safe operation.

Certificare de prim ajutor¶

Managing water heater failures and plumbing repairs involves exposure to pressurized scalding water, heavy brass tools, high-voltage electrical circuits, and gas infrastructure. Anyone performing home mechanical maintenance should maintain current certification in first aid and CPR. Accredited courses conducted by the American Red Cross, St John Ambulance, or regional safety councils provide training in managing severe thermal scald burns, shock triage, and mechanical trauma. If someone suffers a severe scalding burn or electrical injury, call your local emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada, 112 across the European Union, 999 in the United Kingdom) immediately and consult numere de urgență for regional medical dispatch protocols.

Surse verificate¶

• International Code Council (ICC): International Plumbing Code (IPC) Section 501 (Water Heaters General) and Section 424 (Faucets and Other Fixture Fittings).
• International Code Council (ICC): International Residential Code (IRC) Section P2801 (Water Heaters) and Section P2708 (Showers and Anti-Scald Protection).
• International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO): Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) Chapter 5 (Water Heaters) and Section 418 (Shower and Tub-Shower Mixing Valves).
• American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE): ASSE Standard 1016 / ASME A112.1016 / CSA B125.16 (Performance Requirements for Automatic Compensating Valves for Individual Showers).
• American Society of Sanitary Engineering (ASSE): ASSE Standard 1017 (Performance Requirements for Temperature Actuated Mixing Valves for Hot Water Distribution Systems).
• United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Water Heater Scalding Advisory and Tap Water Burn Prevention Guidelines.
• American Burn Association (ABA): Scald Injury Prevention and Thermal Burn Exposure Time-Temperature Dynamics.
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) / NSF International: NSF/ANSI Standard 61 (Drinking Water System Components: Health Effects).

Ghiduri aferente¶

• Water Heater Failure
• Water Heater Explosion Risk and TPR Failure
• Whole House Water Softener Resin Bead Burst into Pipes
• Water Hammer Banging Pipes and Failed Pressure Reducing Valve
• Under Sink Angle Stop Valve Snapped Stem and Water Spray