I often get asked to replace washers in old faucets.
They are often in real bad shape. The one that I did today the house had been sold and when they turned on the water outside hose bib was running.
There was a chunk of rubber inside the faucet allow with a loose screw.
When I get called they are often in such bad shape that I can’t tell what was there before.
My question is there an clue as to when flat or when bevel washers are to be used?
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I went thru this a lot when I first bought my place, which had been a dairy farm, and all the plumbing used washers of various types or that old rope packing.
The good part was that there is a local hardware store that stocks all that old repair stuff and, until our new house was finished, I was a regular customer. I discovered after awhile that part of the reason for constant repairs was that the brass seats were worn or corroded and flat or beveled or round made no difference (especially on the hot water side)....so I replaced the seats. That gave me a brief reprieve.
But, to make a long story short, it finally dawned on me one day that it would be quicker and faster and cheaper just to replace the damned fixtures rather than fighting and fumbling and being frustrated with drippy (or worse) faucets.
End of problem (and since it was temporary, I bought CHEAP fixtures).
I have replaced the faucets sometimes, but often they have been in places, such as tub behind a surround, that not that easy to replace.
Geez, Bill, I've replaced hundreds of the darn things, and around these parts, they are all flat. I think they sell the beveled ones around here, cause I've seen them, but I can't remember anyone ever buying them. Not that I stand around the plumbing section and itemize who takes what, but you know what I mean. I carry bags of various sizes of flats, and a small assortment of beveled, should the need ever arise. As to how you know when to use what, I just replace them all with flat, but I've never pulled one out that wasn't anything but.