Old Faucet Repair?
#1
12-07-02, 06:47 PM
Old Faucet Repair?
Hi,
I recently bought a 3 family home as rentals in Mass.
Today I went over to repair a leaking faucet that the older tennant called me about.She said it was spraying water around the faucet,and felt loose like it was coming apart.
When I got there I found one of the old style sinks with the formed backsplash,where the 2 handle old faucet is attached.
It felt loose,and sprayed water around the base of the faucet.
I unscrewed the large nut holding the faucet in.I found two damaged rubber washers,I founf one that seemed to fit o:k,from a genral plumbing repair fit I had.I assembled it,it seemed pretty good.No leaks and more stable.
My question is,I don't think the washer I put in was what was originally ther?It will probably work for awhile?
Did they use packing on somehing like this?How do you use packing thread?Where can I get info to fix these old pieces correctly with the right stuff?This faucet is probably over 50+ yrs old.The rest of the faucet seems in good cond.Any help would be appreciated..Thanks
I recently bought a 3 family home as rentals in Mass.
Today I went over to repair a leaking faucet that the older tennant called me about.She said it was spraying water around the faucet,and felt loose like it was coming apart.
When I got there I found one of the old style sinks with the formed backsplash,where the 2 handle old faucet is attached.
It felt loose,and sprayed water around the base of the faucet.
I unscrewed the large nut holding the faucet in.I found two damaged rubber washers,I founf one that seemed to fit o:k,from a genral plumbing repair fit I had.I assembled it,it seemed pretty good.No leaks and more stable.
My question is,I don't think the washer I put in was what was originally ther?It will probably work for awhile?
Did they use packing on somehing like this?How do you use packing thread?Where can I get info to fix these old pieces correctly with the right stuff?This faucet is probably over 50+ yrs old.The rest of the faucet seems in good cond.Any help would be appreciated..Thanks
#2
12-07-02, 08:18 PM
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Compression faucets have different size rubber washers. You should use the size that fits snuggly in the end of the stem. Also replace the little brass screw that holds the washer on, if necessary.
Unless the seats have been "dressed" (the corrosion reamed out in a concave in the seat), they usually have flat washers. A domed washer would be used for one that has been dressed.
Packing string is either graphite or teflon. It is wrapped around the stem under the cap that holds the valve stem in, and the cap is tightened down on it to keep it from leaking around the stem.
Packing string should keep it from being loose, also.
With an old faucet, that's probably all that you need...the right size washers and new packing string.
Good Luck!
Mike
Unless the seats have been "dressed" (the corrosion reamed out in a concave in the seat), they usually have flat washers. A domed washer would be used for one that has been dressed.
Packing string is either graphite or teflon. It is wrapped around the stem under the cap that holds the valve stem in, and the cap is tightened down on it to keep it from leaking around the stem.
Packing string should keep it from being loose, also.
With an old faucet, that's probably all that you need...the right size washers and new packing string.
Good Luck!
Mike
#3
12-07-02, 10:04 PM
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Well, while those faucets are nearly 50 years old, the style of them has not changed in all that time... you can still buy the stems for it, and they will come with all the correct washers including the packing you need... They even sell a small kit at home depot with both seats, both stems, and all the hardware you need... There is like a 99.42% chance that you are looking at an American Standard faucet by the way...
#5
12-08-02, 07:13 AM
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Here is a blow-up of a typical stem-and-washer compression faucet. (Ignore the type of handle and the o-ring.)
Just wrap the packing string around the top of the stem under the retaining nut.
Good Luck!
Mike
Just wrap the packing string around the top of the stem under the retaining nut.
Good Luck!
Mike
#7
12-08-02, 05:39 PM
cschroth1, not sure why you had a problem going to the web page that Ole Guy posted. I just went there, using his URL, and it worked just fine.
Do this: Go to Old Guy's post with the URL in it. Click on the URL at the space between "gif" and the bracket after "gif". Holding the left mouse button down, roll back to the beginning of the "http". That should highlite all or the URL for you. Now, hold down the "Ctrl" key and Hit your "C" key. (You just copied the URL.) Now, in the "Address" line above this post (I assume you are using Windows), put your mouse cursor there and click on it. Now backspace. That should erase everything in the box, and your mouse cursor will be flashing at the beginning of the box. Hold down the "Ctrl" key and hit the "V" key. That will paste the URL into the box. Now, go click on "Go" -- You are there!!
Do this: Go to Old Guy's post with the URL in it. Click on the URL at the space between "gif" and the bracket after "gif". Holding the left mouse button down, roll back to the beginning of the "http". That should highlite all or the URL for you. Now, hold down the "Ctrl" key and Hit your "C" key. (You just copied the URL.) Now, in the "Address" line above this post (I assume you are using Windows), put your mouse cursor there and click on it. Now backspace. That should erase everything in the box, and your mouse cursor will be flashing at the beginning of the box. Hold down the "Ctrl" key and hit the "V" key. That will paste the URL into the box. Now, go click on "Go" -- You are there!!
