Help with a leaking bathtub faucet

[rlanicek]

Bathtub faucet leaking in my mom's house. I suspect it's just an o-ring or washer but this one is 57-years old. Not sure what to buy before I shut off the water and take it apart. Any recommendations please?

 

[CJ7VFR]

It is probably the washer that is located at the back of the stem assembly.

Over time, the washers get brittle and stop working. That, and years of it being tightened too much can cause the washers to get deformed.

Most big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes have inexpensive kits that come with all the replacement rubber pieces for the stems.

You will have to take it apart to see what the issue is, and what type of washers to get. You should take apart both the hot and cold water stems and replace the rubber pieces in each one just to be safe since you will have to shut the water off anyway.

Jim

 

[Lynden]

I don't think you'll know what you need until you take the faucet apart. I have 70-year-old bathtub and shower faucets. My leaks have always been caused by either worn out washers or packing.

 

[MFolks]

Sometimes,repeated overtightening,will crack the washer seats,needing a kit that fits in a drill,grinding out the worn part.But turn off the water,get a can of penetrating oil,treat the fittings and wait a while,depending on water deposits,it might take several squirts to break things loose.

 

[buzzworth]

I'll bet it's the hot that leaks. When you shut off the faucet the unit cools and the hot contracts and starts to drip. The water slowly seeping past will wear a small groove in the seat and the tighter you turn it, the more it eats the washer.

Usually the seats are replaceable with a long allen wrench. Do the whole job and it will last a long time. And turn the hot off firmly when you are done.

Former plumbing salesman.

 

[sixty4]

Any Pics?

 

[kbs2244]

Do you want to fix or replace?

 

[The Cobbler]

Bathtub faucet leaking in my mom's house. I suspect it's just an o-ring or washer but this one is 57-years old. Not sure what to buy before I shut off the water and take it apart. Any recommendations please?

you need to take the "S" out of the "HTTPS" in your imgur link for pictures to show here

 

[The Cobbler]

just turn off the water, take it apart & go get what you need. no telling anything until you get it apart.
describe "leaking" taps wont close completely, leaking out of the stem while turned on etc?

its probably washers, seats , with oring or wick around the stem .

 

[Kaizen]

Go get a faucet wrench. Basically a double ended tube that you will probably need to remove the stem. Or maybe it’s called a stem wrench. While there get a package of orings. It will have various sizes and gauge so you can put in. Those handled have a pop off cap and a screw. Careful. If you strip it you’re screwed


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[stokefire7]

Might be a Danco ?

 

[59 wagon man]

that one isn't 57 yrs old looks fairly new. has it been dripping for a while? if so, skip the washer repair as it will probably leak again soon. shut the water and pull the stem. go to a real plumbing supply . they now sell kits with everything from the seats and washers to the cap covering the screw to hold the handle on. avg price is $50-60

 

[dw1]

Looks like it could be a Central Brass faucet, you can get parts to rebuild it without changing the whole valve. It will be easier but $$ pricey