This is a plumbing question. I am no plumber, but being handy at most things (master of none) I finally succumbed to dw’s “please fix that leak!”.
This is from our kitchen sink. The faucet is less than 5 years old, originally purchased at Lowes and I think was a Delta. This set has a separate hot and cold water controls. Water leaks out of the stem of the hot water side when either hot or cold water is running. This was not a particularly cheap set, even at Lowes prices. After screwing around trying to figure how to remove the stem in place, I finally ended up removing the faucet cylinder from the sink and still can’t for the life of me figure out how to remove the stem. There are parallel flat surfaces machined in the bottom of the threaded brass body. I mounted the body in a vise and applied wrench and hammer to the hex section on top, and nothing budged.
The plined top is hollow, but I could not see any screw or allen key surface at the bottom of the hole and no allen wrench seemed to be able to seat in there.
Missing in the picture is a spring clip and cam that restricts the faucet handle rotation to 1/4 turn.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, wsf
Replies
Since you said this is the hot side, I suppose the faucet opens by turning CCW. If so the packing nut on top may be Clock Wise. That would be Left hand thread.
I'm just guessing.
Also sometimes a little heat helps ease these things. Those little pencil torches would be about right for this.
Good Luck K
CCW is correct, CCW on, CW off. I tried both directions, short of really laying into it. Would hate to crack the darn thing and have to explain that. Someone's got to have taken these things apart before and know where it will separate.
Left-hand thread, maybe?
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
I have a suggestion. Email Delta and ask them to send you all the new guts. It'll show up in a few days and you just install all the new parts. I'm sure its under warranty...I think.
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Within the last 5 years Delta has carried lifetime warranty. Just need to know the model #........................and then give them a call..........
We install a lot of faucets. All the guys I know that do agree that if you paid less than $300 for the Delta you got the cheap version that leaks at the stem out of the box. the more expensive units have a ceramic seal and work much better. I asked the Delta rep at the Remodelers convention about this a few years ago and he dummied up and said he had never heard it before. I knew he was lying. If he had said they were working on it or had that once in awhile I would have believed him.
Most faucets today are not rebuildable like we used to do, break it down and install a parts kit of washers, o-rings etc. They are meant to have you go buy a new stem unit and replace it. The advice to call Delta is good, they will send you the parts needed for free. Frankly if it is over 5 years old today with most inexpensive units we advise replacement. DanT
Well don't that just take the biscuit. I'll have to see if I can really figure out what the brand/model# is. The Lowes website does not show any Delta units nor any that match what we have. It is a high arc spout but faucets and spout mount directly to the sink, not on a separate base. It might be worth visiting a real plumbing store and seeing if I can get a better quality replacement.I would have figured that if it had to be put together somehow, then you should be able to take it apart.
I think this is one of those cases where DIY time needs to be figured the same as paying a pro...one said they always replace a lower-quality unit after 5 years rather than trying to fix it. You should follow his lead.
Given the daily necessity of a kitchen faucet, and the fact that the labor, hassle, and time is much greater to try to fix than to simply replace (maybe with a better one this time around) replacement is a much better solution, all around.
If you're buying new, I suggest MOEN. This mfg. has a lifetime warranty on cartridges. Any Moen cartridge will be replaced free of charge, no matter if you're the initial purchaser or not. No receipts req'd.
Just call Moen at 1-800-465-6130 and they'll have the part in the mail for you no questions asked.
WF,
I'm probably wrong, but, my thoughts are that the part marked by the red arrows screws out of the part marked in blue. The stem, marked in green, screws out the bottom of the red part after the red part is removed from the body (blue).
See attachment.
I think you want to have the stem in the open position before you remove the red part from the body.
SamT
Sam, I am pretty sure I turned the stem half way before trying to get it apart. This faucet is a 1/4 turn type, the stem does not screw up or down to turn on/off. I am pretty sure this was a Kohler Revival faucet. I'll have to give taking it apart another shot. If this fails, then it is a good time to get a replacement. Not from Lowes. I've heard the cheaper plumbing products at Lowes gripe for a while and this may be a very good example. Too bad really, all of the parts you can hold are chrome plated solid brass and have considerable heft, but this faucet is only 3 years old and shouldn't leak, I would think.
Called Kohler customer support, gave them the part number and they are sending a replacement valve (not cartridge) overnight so that it should arrive Friday morning at no charge. Pretty nice except for the fact that I have to replace it at all. I'll get a chance to see if the original one actually comes apart without a hacksaw.