I'm over a week into my sabbatical, and after a stupendous week in San Francisco with Tammy it's time to get to work. First on the list? The leaking faucet in the master bath.
Typically, I would think you just need to replace the seats and springs within the valve assembly to get this sucker to stop leaking. Not this time.
Before I could even get to the valve, I had to take off the handle. Easy enough, right? WRONG. The set screw which holds the handle to the valve stem was corroded. I tried various ways to loosen it up, but ultimately I ended up stripping the damned thing (1/8" hex bolt). So much for keeping the handle in tact. Not having the proper tools at my disposal, I had to run to the store and get a screw remover. That in hand, I tried to get the set screw out. Doesn't fit in the hole. Here comes the drill! I expanded the hole so the removal tool could reach the set screw. At least something worked right, as the screw removal tool worked like a charm and the set screw came right out.
How that I have removed the handle (and bought a new one, ugly too :)) I was able to get to the valve assembly and take it apart. Reaching the seats and springs, I replaced those and put everything back together. Turn back on the water main to test it out and it looks to be working. Of course, the water runs just fine, but the damned thing is still leaking!! What next.
I head to Home Depot and get a new valve assembly. Looks like Delta has changed some of the design, but it fits perfectly in my application. After greasing up all of the rings and seats, I put everything back together. I turn the water main back on and viola! Success! Now just need to adjust the scald guard setting and put everything back together. The new handle goes one, looks like crap, but at least works. I'm sure Tammy is going to want something new soon...
