Any Plumbers in the Nut House?

stinkie · 04-26-2009, 03:04 PM

if you look at it you will see that the nut that you are looking for is on the outer sleeve next to the stem where the handle is conected. take the whole sleeve loose and you should see the washer that you are looking for .

stinkie

The Professor · 04-26-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorCaptSilly

There really should be a nut back at the back of the stem. I've always used deep well sockets for those. I used to have stems that were too long even for deep well and I'd slip the socket over the stem so the stem would go through the hole at the back of the socket then use channel locks to turn.

MCS

I've tried about 10 different sizes. No dice. There's no nut behind the tile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinkie

if you look at it you will see that the nut that you are looking for is on the outer sleeve next to the stem where the handle is conected. take the whole sleeve loose and you should see the washer that you are looking for .

stinkie

So the piece that starts about 1/2" from the front end and continues back (once solid piece) into the wall *is* the nut?

stinkie · 04-26-2009, 03:11 PM

yes.

stinkie

The Professor · 04-26-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinkie

yes.

stinkie

Alright ... well ... I've given it as much muscle as I'm willing to on an internet diagnosis.

Gave it a little shot of WD40 in the back to loosen things up and it still wouldn't budge. My concern at this point is that I'm not actually turning the right thing. I know I *probably* am; but I don't want to risk putting a lot of muscle into turning the wrong thing, which then breaks a weld or something back in the wall. Then I'd be totally eff'd.

At this point, I'm probably just gonna wimp out and call the plumber tomorrow. It'll probably be a 20 minute fix; but I'm kind of feeling like that's worth avoiding the risk of a 2 hour repair.

Thanks to all the folks who've chimed in here or over PM.

RGD. · 04-26-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Professor

So the piece that starts about 1/2" from the front end and continues back (once solid piece) into the wall *is* the nut?

Exactly. And it's not going to come off easy. If you are not grabbing anything - then you are not using a large enough socket for it. That looks to be either a Sterling or Eljer faucet. The chrome part on the stem tighten against a packing - but you need to loosen the part that looks like the body to you - and it's all the way in the back. You may not have enough tile removed.

So you need a larger size socket (plumbers) and a large wrench in order to turn the socket. Once that is off you can replace the washer and the seat. Be advised the seat also takes a special tool (cheap) - insert it and then tap it lightly to set it, otherwise you will just round the seat off. If you can't get it out then you could install a beveled washer, but it won't last as long as the correct one. And don't forget the grease.

Ron

14holestogie · 04-27-2009, 04:37 AM

The grease may come in handy right before the plumber hands you his bill.

The Professor · 04-27-2009, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

The grease may come in handy right before the plumber hands you his bill.

Tell me about it.

The Professor · 05-02-2009, 02:13 PM

oops ... thought I updated things here in this thread; but apparently I didn't. got an appointment with a plumber who finally showed up about quarter after 4pm on the 27th. I was at work; but my wife was home. he tinkered around for a while, left for parts, came back, said he fixed it, and was gone 5 or so minutes before I got home. $75. went in to check the water and the damned knob would barely turn and no water came on.

sooooo ... I called. papa plumber said his son (who did the job) wasn't back yet but that he could come in the next morning to fix it. as I was telling him "no way in hell," baby plumber got back, they talked in the background, and papa plumber said they'd be right over.

turns out baby plumber didn't quite get everything right; so papa plumber made some adjustments to the part (seat and stem), reinstalled, and it works; although, it now turns i the opposite direction.

turns out that this is *old* plumbing -- 1960s when the house was built. papa plumber says there were all kinds of problems with this kind of setup and stem and that it should probably be replaced. I told him I'd leave that decision up to the next owner who takes possession of the house in 2 months. it works, has a clean bill of health, and that's all that matters to me.

in talking with him, learning about the rarity of this particular setup (home depot definitely doesn't carry it), etc., I'm *absolutely certain* there's no way I would have been able to fix it on my own.

$75 well spent in my book.

thanks to the folks who weighed in in public and in private. I learned a lot that I'll be able to take with me to my next home in Texas.

04-26-2009, 03:04 PM	#1
stinkie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: dan Location: In the sticks/Tarlton ohio Posts: 140 Trading: (2)	Re: Any Plumbers in the Nut House? if you look at it you will see that the nut that you are looking for is on the outer sleeve next to the stem where the handle is conected. take the whole sleeve loose and you should see the washer that you are looking for . stinkie

04-26-2009, 03:11 PM	#3
stinkie Still Watching My Back Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: dan Location: In the sticks/Tarlton ohio Posts: 140 Trading: (2)	Re: Any Plumbers in the Nut House? yes. stinkie

04-27-2009, 04:37 AM	#6
14holestogie Serial banter killer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Clintonville, WI Posts: 4,341 Trading: (52)	Re: Any Plumbers in the Nut House? The grease may come in handy right before the plumber hands you his bill. __________________ *I loves me a Parti*

05-02-2009, 02:13 PM	#8
The Professor i wish i was geRRy... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: geRRy Location: So*Cal... Posts: 1,703 Trading: (7)	Re: Any Plumbers in the Nut House? oops ... thought I updated things here in this thread; but apparently I didn't. got an appointment with a plumber who finally showed up about quarter after 4pm on the 27th. I was at work; but my wife was home. he tinkered around for a while, left for parts, came back, said he fixed it, and was gone 5 or so minutes before I got home. $75. went in to check the water and the damned knob would barely turn and no water came on. sooooo ... I called. papa plumber said his son (who did the job) wasn't back yet but that he could come in the next morning to fix it. as I was telling him "no way in hell," baby plumber got back, they talked in the background, and papa plumber said they'd be right over. turns out baby plumber didn't quite get everything right; so papa plumber made some adjustments to the part (seat and stem), reinstalled, and it works; although, it now turns i the opposite direction. turns out that this is old plumbing -- 1960s when the house was built. papa plumber says there were all kinds of problems with this kind of setup and stem and that it should probably be replaced. I told him I'd leave that decision up to the next owner who takes possession of the house in 2 months. it works, has a clean bill of health, and that's all that matters to me. in talking with him, learning about the rarity of this particular setup (home depot definitely doesn't carry it), etc., I'm absolutely certain there's no way I would have been able to fix it on my own. $75 well spent in my book. thanks to the folks who weighed in in public and in private. I learned a lot that I'll be able to take with me to my next home in Texas. __________________ ~Dokk Join the CA Lottery (clicky). It's fun!!!