Fixing a Dripping Bathroom Faucet

[axelfox]

I have a dripping bathroom faucet, and I looked on the net on how to fix it. I managed to turn off the cold water underneath the sink, but the hot water seems to be stuck (can turn only a little, not enough to shut off). I need to be able to turn off the water so I can take apart the faucet to see what I need to fix/replace. Otherwise, it'll be water chaos.

Any ideas?

UPDATE 4/7/08: I managed to turn off the water from the outside. I replaced all of the washers and O-Rings, but the darn thing still drips. Now what?

 

[QED]

Turn off your hot water at the source (i.e. the hot water tank)?

 

[PetunZ]

You should have a shut off valve to the whole house either in your garage or somewhere around the exterior. Or, you can use the city's shut off valve to your house which is normally near a sidewalk.

Edit - or IN the sidewalk

 

[klod]

Or, if you have a well, flip the breaker. Then open the faucets until the pressure tank is emptied.

You should replace that stuck valve while you're at it.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: QED
Turn off your hot water at the source (i.e. the hot water tank)?

:thumbsup:

 

[Baked]

Go outside and cut the water line.

 

[allisolm]

Originally posted by: Baked
Go outside and cut the water line.

:laugh:
Probably one reason why we don't have a home improvement forum category here.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Use some penetrating oil on the hot water cutoff and let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: axelfox
I have a dripping bathroom faucet, and I looked on the net on how to fix it. I managed to turn off the cold water underneath the sink, but the hot water seems to be stuck (can turn only a little, not enough to shut off). I need to be able to turn off the water so I can take apart the faucet to see what I need to fix/replace. Otherwise, it'll be water chaos.

Any ideas?

to fix the shut off at the sink, you need to use a propane torch for a few mins to heat it up. Then turn it with pliers (cause it will be hot).

assuming this fixes it, you should replace the washer but also inspect the seat for damage. If in doubt, change the seat. You will need a hex key for that procedure.

 

[potato28]

Sledgehammer to the hot water pipe. Only way to get it done.

 

[IronWing]

Every fixture in my house is that way. And...and...and the shutoff valve on the water meter leaks. Thank Gawd Almighty a new hardware store just opened three weeks ago three blocks from here. Before that, it was a freaking 40 mile round trip to the hardware store.

 

[axelfox]

I managed to turn off the water from the outside. I replaced all of the washers and O-Rings, but the darn thing still drips.

 

[BoomerD]

How is the stem seat? Often, they need to be replaced and the seat refaced as well.

 

[nakedfrog]

Yeah, did you replace anything that looks like a spring?

 

[axelfox]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Yeah, did you replace anything that looks like a spring?

No. There is nothing that looks like a spring. The faucet is a two handle Price Pfister.

 

[MrPickins]

Did you also replace the shutoff valve? Now would be an excellent time to do that.

 

[axelfox]

Originally posted by: MrPickins
Did you also replace the shutoff valve? Now would be an excellent time to do that.

Didn't do that yet. I think this problem is independent of the dripping faucet, so I want to take care of the dripping before I replace the shutoff valve. However, it seems that I might need to take a propane torch to this to fix it. I might have to call my plumber.

 

[axelfox]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
How is the stem seat? Often, they need to be replaced and the seat refaced as well.

Looks OK. I was able to get it to stop dripping for a while until it started again.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: axelfox

Originally posted by: MrPickins
Did you also replace the shutoff valve? Now would be an excellent time to do that.

Didn't do that yet. I think this problem is independent of the dripping faucet, so I want to take care of the dripping before I replace the shutoff valve. However, it seems that I might need to take a propane torch to this to fix it. I might have to call my plumber.

If there is sufficient pipe exposed, you could cut the valve off and get a new valve with a compression fitting.

I only recommend it because you have to turn the water off anyway and valve replacement should take <10-30min (depending on skill level).

That, and a personal pet peeve of mine is going to fix a faucet/toilet and finding out it has a bad shutoff.

 

[seemingly random]

Depending on the age of the plumbing and faucet, it might be cheaper to replace the faucet than calling a plumber.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Sounds like the seat was damaged. Not worth honing, replace the darn thing. Someone else should have warned you, I have not read this thread.
<----- pro plumber

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
Sounds like the seat was damaged. Not worth honing, replace the darn thing. Someone else should have warned you, I have not read this thread.
<----- pro plumber

I mentioned the seat a long time ago...he said it was OK...but it still leaks after replacing the washer and o-rings...still sounds like a seat to me.
I'd run the seat reamer/reseating tool if it was me, but I'm cheap that way. and only replace either the seat (if it's replaceable) or entire faucet when I have to.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
Sounds like the seat was damaged. Not worth honing, replace the darn thing. Someone else should have warned you, I have not read this thread.
<----- pro plumber

Add one more person to the list of people who suspect the seat. IIRC, I purchased a really cheap seat reamer tool at Valu Home Center about 10 years ago for just a couple dollars. Worked just fine for a half dozen or so faucets. (I helped out friends a few times.)

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz
Sounds like the seat was damaged. Not worth honing, replace the darn thing. Someone else should have warned you, I have not read this thread.
<----- pro plumber

I mentioned the seat a long time ago...he said it was OK...but it still leaks after replacing the washer and o-rings...still sounds like a seat to me.
I'd run the seat reamer/reseating tool if it was me, but I'm cheap that way. and only replace either the seat (if it's replaceable) or entire faucet when I have to.

I mentioned it too.

I bought a pair of seats for 99 cents. Took me 2 mins to change it out.