So I've been trying to fix up a few things in the bathroom and have averted disaster a few times. I've noted this in other threads, but I thought maybe a single thread would be good.
I guess the most common implementation for a supply valve uses a flat washer secured with a bib screw, where the washer just closes on the opening. When I went to a hardware store yesterday they didn't have any suitable loose washers so the clerk recommended just get a pack of Ace Hardware "faucet washers" that came with 16 washers and 6 brass replacement screws. I had to work quickly since my main shutoff valve probably needs a replacement washer too, where it slows down the flow but not completely. I haven't done this before and thought that the washers should be a bit softer (like neoprene) but they were rather hard. The old one was obviously brittle, cracked, and stuck to the stem. I had to scrape off bits of the washer from the stem with a knife. But it worked. I'd never done this before and was surprised how hard the new washers were, but it worked.
So with this "success" and a package of washers I thought maybe I could tackle the other supply valves since my house is rather old. I then went at the vanity sink supply valve. Easy enough to take off but it was leaking because of the main line shutoff washer issue. Then I saw there was no bib screw. It was some sort of friction fit where the washer (which was in pretty bad shape) stretched over a mushroom shaped cap. When I pulled it off the washer (which was somewhat soft) it broke with a little crack. I tried getting on one of the new washers I had on, had no luck, and just put it back in place to keep the leaking down as I headed for another hardware store to see if they had anything. In the plumbing section they had a ton of loose washers but nothing that seemed soft enough to slip over the friction fit. I tried something that seemed a little softer but I had my doubts if I could get it on.
The thing that finally worked was two thin neoprene washers that together were about the thickness of the original washer. I still can't seem to turn the handle to shut off the water, but at the very least it's not leaking.
Has anyone dealt with a supply stem with this sort of friction fit cap for the washer to stretch over? When I was at the hardware store the clerk said he hadn't heard of anything like it. He said they usually have bib screws.
I guess the most common implementation for a supply valve uses a flat washer secured with a bib screw, where the washer just closes on the opening. When I went to a hardware store yesterday they didn't have any suitable loose washers so the clerk recommended just get a pack of Ace Hardware "faucet washers" that came with 16 washers and 6 brass replacement screws. I had to work quickly since my main shutoff valve probably needs a replacement washer too, where it slows down the flow but not completely. I haven't done this before and thought that the washers should be a bit softer (like neoprene) but they were rather hard. The old one was obviously brittle, cracked, and stuck to the stem. I had to scrape off bits of the washer from the stem with a knife. But it worked. I'd never done this before and was surprised how hard the new washers were, but it worked.
So with this "success" and a package of washers I thought maybe I could tackle the other supply valves since my house is rather old. I then went at the vanity sink supply valve. Easy enough to take off but it was leaking because of the main line shutoff washer issue. Then I saw there was no bib screw. It was some sort of friction fit where the washer (which was in pretty bad shape) stretched over a mushroom shaped cap. When I pulled it off the washer (which was somewhat soft) it broke with a little crack. I tried getting on one of the new washers I had on, had no luck, and just put it back in place to keep the leaking down as I headed for another hardware store to see if they had anything. In the plumbing section they had a ton of loose washers but nothing that seemed soft enough to slip over the friction fit. I tried something that seemed a little softer but I had my doubts if I could get it on.
The thing that finally worked was two thin neoprene washers that together were about the thickness of the original washer. I still can't seem to turn the handle to shut off the water, but at the very least it's not leaking.
Has anyone dealt with a supply stem with this sort of friction fit cap for the washer to stretch over? When I was at the hardware store the clerk said he hadn't heard of anything like it. He said they usually have bib screws.