Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Compression faucet/stop valve issue
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ChadTower
05-28-06, 01:32 PM
Just found this forum, great stuff, guys, glad to be here.
This is my problem. I have an old Kohler compression faucet in my bathroom sink. The cold faucet seems to be stripped, you can turn it counter clockwise past closed and it goes back to high volume. I'm fairly certain I could take it apart, take out the bad parts, take them to Lowe's, get new parts and install them.
The problem is that the stop valve for cold, under the sink, seems to do nothing. The hot valve works fine but the cold, even when turned clockwise as far as it can go, only slows the flow some. I WD40ed the handle stem and worked it in but not much happened. I am quite strong and closed it as tightly as I dared but the water still flows. Could whatever is inside that makes the valve stop water be broken? Maybe a lime deposit keeping it from closing? There is some white chalky buildup just vertical of the valve fitting.
So, for now, and this is Memorial Day weekend (5x plumber rates), we have to turn the whole house off to get this faucet to stop. How risky is it to try and take that stop valve handle out to see if I can get it working?
This is my problem. I have an old Kohler compression faucet in my bathroom sink. The cold faucet seems to be stripped, you can turn it counter clockwise past closed and it goes back to high volume. I'm fairly certain I could take it apart, take out the bad parts, take them to Lowe's, get new parts and install them.
The problem is that the stop valve for cold, under the sink, seems to do nothing. The hot valve works fine but the cold, even when turned clockwise as far as it can go, only slows the flow some. I WD40ed the handle stem and worked it in but not much happened. I am quite strong and closed it as tightly as I dared but the water still flows. Could whatever is inside that makes the valve stop water be broken? Maybe a lime deposit keeping it from closing? There is some white chalky buildup just vertical of the valve fitting.
So, for now, and this is Memorial Day weekend (5x plumber rates), we have to turn the whole house off to get this faucet to stop. How risky is it to try and take that stop valve handle out to see if I can get it working?
majakdragon
05-28-06, 01:50 PM
ChadTower, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Should not be too bad. Turn off the main water supply, open the valve handle, turn the packing nut (the nut under the handle) until it releases from the valve body. Then you should be able to pull or turn the stem out. Dump some vinegar down the opening while you are cleaning the seat on the stem. Put it back together and you should have no problem. Don't crank the packing nut too hard when reassembling. Turn the water back on and snug until it quits leaking with the valve handle in the open position. Good luck.
Should not be too bad. Turn off the main water supply, open the valve handle, turn the packing nut (the nut under the handle) until it releases from the valve body. Then you should be able to pull or turn the stem out. Dump some vinegar down the opening while you are cleaning the seat on the stem. Put it back together and you should have no problem. Don't crank the packing nut too hard when reassembling. Turn the water back on and snug until it quits leaking with the valve handle in the open position. Good luck.
chandler
05-28-06, 05:11 PM
Since it is an emergency situation, and you may not have access to supplies, after removing the under sink valve body, you can turn the washer over and reinstall the screw. This is temporary, and should be replaced later, but it could get you into business until you can get to the store.