Sink plumbing question??

[BFBOB]

OK, it's in my house, not my garage, but hopefully one of you gurus will be able to help. It's a Kohler faucet set that probably dates back to the '50s. I've had to replace the cartridges, and remove the pop-up stopper (which we never used anyway) but otherwise worked fine until a couple of days ago. I had the water turned off at the entry point to do some unrelated work. After a couple of hours, I turned the water back on, and there was no water at this bathroom set. The bathtub faucets work fine, and they're a joint past the sink, so pipe blockage isn't it. I did some digging around and found that water is getting to the valves, but not out the spout. (with the water turned off and valve cartridges removed, I can blow into one faucet and the air comes out the other). I removed the aerator, which was somewhat encrusted with lime, but that didn't help. I de-limed the aerator with CLR, and figured lime buildup must the the faucet's problem too. After two days of keeping the spout full of CLR, no joy.

I really don't want to replace the whole set - for one thing I've never seen one made for that 30 degree sloped sink, and I sure dont' want to replace the sink too!

Any ideas?

 

[Jim greengo]

Try removing the stems 1 at a time and blow air through the lilinen Going through spout.
Probably blew something through water lines when you turned water back on.
I'd also try shutting off water and checking stop valves under sink to make sure they aren't plugged up.

 

[JRC3]

Are there flex supply lines from the stops or flex to the spout? I doubt that age of spout has flex from the handles to the spout, but who knows. They might be kinked or collapse under pleasure. Could also by junk in the supply stops that only block under full pressure. I've had supply stops clog and the fact that you did work elsewhere and have shut the main off and on probably knocked **** loose. I'd break the stops down and might as well replace their washers in the process. I bet you find debri and gunk in them causing the problem. I've also had stop washers break apart from shutting off and the chunks clog a faucet or toilet valve.

 

[KenC]

Water to both h and c valves, so stops are OK. with stops open and valves out does water flow? If so it is in the center section/mix chamber.

If that's the case I'd close the stops, remove both h and c cartridges, fill the thing with white vinegar overnight and hope for the best. Well maybe try poking around with a stiff bent wire first.

 

[BFBOB]

Thanks, all
1: no stop valves, something I'll remedy if it comes to replacement. The only way to cut off water is at the main (street) valve.
2: no flex supply lines. 3/8 copper from the 1/2"copper incoming to the faucets -- another thing I'll remedy if it comes to that.
3: i tried a semi-stiff wire probe (12 ga copper). Didn't dislodge anything I could see.

I'll try blowing compressed air through it with water turned off at the main. Little cheapie HF compressor has its uses!

I think it's haunted. This is October, after all.

 

[The Cobbler]

debri got in there somewhere . check the cartridges, maybe a flow restrictor in line somewhere? with the cartridges removed, do you get water coming out of you turn it on ?( gently) does water flow with the aerator removed?

 

[ez-duzit]

Clean out the aerator.

 

[BFBOB]

Success!
This would have happened sooner, but we just got the furnace replaced and MOAO forbade me to do any more plumbing until the inspector had been here.
What finally worked was the compressed air I mentioned above It almost instantly started blowing air out the faucets (with guts removed). I never did see whatever was blocking it, but it works just fine now.

Thanks, All!

 

[The Cobbler]

great !