replace leaking ball valve?

[redline9k]

finished putting in a new 3/4 main line last night, and one of the ball valves is leaking just prior the water heater.

there is a little drop of water at the bottom of the valve body, where the two halves of the valve are joined together (the sweat joints are dry). It drips maybe twice a day from what i can tell.

I know the correct thing to do is replace it with a new valve, but this joint would be almost impossible to sweat in-place without removing a large section of line and rebuilding (its between 12" joists/insulation, wiring, etc - I built that section on the bench and installed about 10' down the run). Is there any other fix besides replacement?

thanks

Doug

[rick1643]

tighten the packing nut....take off the handle and tighten the nut behind it, then put the handle back on. That should do it.