Had to replace the tub and all went well. Used a galvanized nipple cut to size for the tub outlet. Getting a small amount of rust when you turn on the water. It clears up immediately so I suspect it is the nipple. Will it go away or should I replace it. Thinking I should have used copper with threaded fittings or maybe plastic. Don't want to stain the tub.

Hi folks, I am brand new to this forum and website, so I am still finding my way around. I did some looking for topics about similar problems but did not see anything. So here is the problem: We have a tub/shower with three handles (separate hot, cold, and diverter). All three handles are hard to turn both on and off. This makes it difficult to get the water all the way off so the faucet and shower do not drip. It also makes it difficult to get the water temp right since the hot and cold handles are so tight that they will move back slightly when turned. In other words: you turn the water on counter-clockwise to a position, when you let go, it will move back [B]slightly [/B] clockwise. Other than what I have been reading the last couple days, while researching this problem, I know very little (nothing) about the workings of faucets. So I am not sure where to even start. Is this a matter of taking the valve stem out and lubricating it? Has someone just tightened it too much? Do I need a new valve stem? Or is the problem as simple as replacing the handles (I doubt it)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Vic