(FB Archive)
There is a pretty good drip from the center spout despite turning off the hot water handle (left) as hard as I can. Any tips on how to stop it? Sink is from 1950’s I believe. Plumber who installed said it was in good shape 1 year ago.
Thank you!
**thanks for all your tips! I’m off to the hardware store. Cross your fingers
Author: Aimee Cardwell
All Comments:
Melissa Ramsey Biçen Do the faucets need new washers?
Aimee Cardwell Author @Melissa Ramsey possible ... there’s a screw on top of each knob. Do I take the handle off and washer is underneath?
Melissa Ramsey Biçen @Aimee Cardwell Kay said it well
Kay Cannon There's a stem that has the washer held onto the end of it with a screw. Do not lose the screw. Take the washer to hardware store to match up. Mine was so bad the seat that the washer sits in was jagged so I had to get a seat tool to grind it even so it wouldn't eat the washer.
Kay Cannon Make sure the water is off before you do this! You will need a wrench to get the stem out.
Sarah Rothschild Does it need plumber's tape?
Aimee Cardwell Author @Sarah Rothschild where would that go ? I’m sink ignorant
Byron Taylor Aimee Cardwell check out this video, the basic idea would be the same for your faucet. Often a plumber would want to replace with a new faucet as it is easier/faster. Not a viable option in your configuration. Either do it yourself or find someone who understands what needs to be replaced. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia54Q6Twvt4
Aimee Cardwell Author @Byron Taylor thank you !
Gene Tomashosky Washer
Nora Steiner I have antique faucets also and had Jim White plumbing take care of mine..because I know nothing about plumbing fixtures and he definetely does..was not expensive either..always an option if you cant fix them yourself
Gary Farkash I’m not trying to be flip, however, have you tried turning the cold handle tighter? That would tell you wether or not it is the hot handle. You probably need a new washer at the bottom of the stem. If you can remove the hot handle and the valve stem after turning off the water valves under your sink, you will see. Warning, if the seal is good, which I doubt, it could be the seat that the washer sits on and makes the seal. I’d break down and find a plumber if you’re not handy.
Aimee Cardwell Author Gary Farkash I did try tightening both hot and cold handles to see if that stopped the drip and didn’t work.
Gary Farkash @Aimee Cardwell -again, my apologies if I sounded flip.It definitely has to be the washer at the bottom of the stem. If you get a plumber, have them change both hot and cold washers and check the seats too.
Aimee Cardwell Author @Gary Farkash no worries! I often don’t try the obvious
Tami Vaher @Gary Farkash I see you and a couple people said turn off the water under the sink. I had a plumber who just stopped by to look before he fixed anything. He turned off the water under the sink. He said to stop the leak he'd have to go to the main water source and shut it off. Just shutting it under the sink is ok? He got busy and hasn't come back to fix it but it's just in the guest house so I didn't need the water back on yet. Of course, he also suggested changing the whole faucet, but I'm not getting talked into that again after my fancy kitchen faucet was replaced with a cheap one and the guy took my good one.
Gary Farkash @Tami Vaher -there “should” be both a hot and cold water shut off under the sink. Unless they are broken or in bad shape, there’s no reason to shut the whole house off.
Tami Vaher @Gary Farkash Thanks. I really didn't want him on my basement. It's a mess. But he said he might be able to turn it off from the city water opening in my yard
Gary Farkash @Tami Vaher -there’s no reason that I can think of for him to be doing that. Is there anything wrong with your shut off valves?
Bambi Harris It's has a cool face!!!
Austin Gwin @Bambi Harris sad face is sad!
Elizabeth Spinelli-Wellbrock @Bambi Harris exactly what I thought, first thing I noticed!!
Bambi Harris @Elizabeth Spinelli-Wellbrock it makes me smile
Elizabeth Spinelli-Wellbrock @Bambi Harris me too
Bambi Harris @Elizabeth Spinelli-Wellbrock what is it?
Elizabeth Spinelli-Wellbrock @Bambi Harris I don’t know
PKat Scott have you tried pullinh the valve stem and replacing the rubber gasket?
Aimee Cardwell Author @PKat Scott I will look up how to do that !
PKat Scott https://homeguides.sfgate.com/replace-gasket-sink-faucet...
Seely Gerraughty Not a hard job. Turn off the water under the sink where it comes out of the wall first. Utube just taught me how to replace a broken s belt and alternator on my truck. Watch a few videos and go for it.
Aimee Cardwell Author @Seely Gerraughty YouTube/google really is a blessing!
Seely Gerraughty @Aimee Cardwell mostly. Some videos confuse me which is why I check out more than one
Judy Hotchkiss Please learn how to change an old school washer. Might be available at Lowes or Ace Hardware. See Youtuve for how to. I think you unscrew the center of the handle. Turn the water off first. Replace them both this time. Do not, in future crank them down hard. Close them so the water stops. That's it. That way they don't wear out so fast.My cleaner cranked a 1970s modern one down and broke it. Never do that. .
Mary LJ I have the same old sink, and the seals went bad after many many years. Couldn't find any seals to fit so, I had to make a new seal for the handle that was leaking. While I was at it, I made 2 seals. I used leather and a gasket hole punch to make new seals.
PKat Scott you can usually buy an assortment of faucet gaskets for a couple of bucks.
PKat Scott https://www.lowes.com/.../Danco-10-Pack.../3380496...
PKat Scott ps plug th sink in case you drop a screw or you will be googling ''how to take apart a pea trap''
Jane Bendall I’ve done this, it’s pretty easy. Watch the video, first. At most hardware stores they sell an assortment bag of washers. Buy that, and you’re set for yrs! You can do this! It’s really doable!
Shane Walp The rubber washer/seal on the back of the stem is worn out. Look up antique bathroom stems or something similar.
Xoyote Hayleigh That FACE tho
Lilibet Carter @Xoyote Hayleigh, I was totes about to comment on the face.
Aimee Cardwell Author @Xoyote Hayleigh it’s a sad sink ...
Ian Lester Valve seat and/or seal
Tina Caruso Untighten just a tad and see if it stops...mine is doing the same thing....
Kit Strandberg OMG! at first I thought this was a post from "things with faces". I was going to say I'd have to throw a towel over this guy before taking a shower. LOL
John Flesch Out the spout means bad washer or washer seat.Out the handles means bad bonnet seal. Do not use pliers or channel-locks. Please use an adjustable wrench.
Sean McCabe Replace the washer at the bottom of the valve. If it’s leaking from the handle, replace the packing.
Deb Radtke if you have vintage faucets buy repair kits and don't listen to most plumbers, or anyone at a big box home improvement store
Lee Marcum You just need to replace the faucet values. Easy fix.
Aimee Cardwell Author @Lee Marcum valves?
Rik Barry valves.
Joe Schiavone Am I the only person that thinks this sink resembles Squidward from Sponge Bob
Ophelia MW @Joe Schiavone It is an interesting sink. I don't think I've seen one quite like it, but yes, Squidward definitely. LOL
Roger A. Schafer @Ophelia MW Crane sink. You can get parts, how to's and such from: https://deabath.com/brand/crane-plumbing/
Kevin Fritz There is a washer on the bottom of the stem. There is also packing that is below the bonnet of the valve, usually an impregnated string like material. The fix is easy, just will take a little patience to get done. I recommend a local hardware store if you have one. Buy a seal kit and packing kit. Shut the water off and rebuild them both at the same time, you'll thank yourself later.
Mindy Glazer MacLaren Love that spigot
Abby Kossow Before you do any of this, have you ever taken it apart and soaked with warm vinegar and followed up with a gentle scrub?? Often some build up can cause these drips since things aren’t able to seal properly. Give it a shot. It’s probably the easiest option, anyway.
Abby Kossow Hell depending how far you go with disassembly you may just replace a seal/gasket or something along the way
Nathan McBee Replace the washer on the valve
Tom Radtke Your hot water "faucet" is a valve with a mixing faucet in the center, inside the valve is a replaceable cartridge, so if you can identify the brand of the valve, the cartridge or one that fits it, should be available. However, often times on old faucets what has happened is that the brass washer that seals the cartridge in the fully closed position needs to be replaced and the cartridge can be disassembled to replace just that washer. What you may need might be a simple as the right size brass washer. You can turn off the hot water and pull the cartridge, unless you can identify the valve manufacturer and the approximate time of manufacture. A good plumbing supply company could look at the valve and tell you what washer to install. The old stuff was built to last and brass washers have a life expectancy of about 50 years, you made it for 70!
Tom Radtke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia54Q6Twvt4
Don Powell Don't let it go to long. Those faucets are a pita to fix. There's a washer and screw on the bottom of the valve. The screws are usually severely corroded and the head shears off.
PKat Scott if that happens you have to replace the whole valve stem.
Patricia Ann Boyd Sounds like the rubber washer in the hot water valve is wearing out. replace it.