Columbus, OH on Oct 01, 2011

My hot water tap for the bathtub is running (and increasing my water bill horribly) ...

Is it just a question of replacing the washer for the tap or something bigger???? I cannot afford to get a plumber in (and am not currently eligible for senior assistance for a couple more years as I already used my option earlier this year) ... ANY SUGGESTIONS, ETC. ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED - THANKS :-))

17 Comments

Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

Hi there Pami,
How seriously is it running? Full on or just dripping (or somewhere in the middle)? What brand of faucet is it? Without a little more info we would all be just guessing at things.

on Oct 01, 2011 · Like 0
Pami T Columbus, OH

It's not full on running ... but definately no longer a drip. I have no idea what brand it is as it's the one that came with the house when I bought it in November 2003 (though I don't think it's one of those expensive ones ... lol).

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Dan's of Central Florida,... Clermont, FL

It turns out that my own tub faucet just started to do the same thing. When I get it all looked at perhaps I'll be able to answer you better here (unless somebody else happens by first). Stay tuned... :)

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Micci S Roswell, GA

The valve is failing. (There is a "thingy" inside the tap that turns to open and close the water flow.) Can you provide a picture? Is your tub tiled? It might not be too difficult for you to replace yourself. (You seem to be pretty handy!)

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Inspection Connection, LLC Mcdonough, GA

Pami,
Turn off the water under the sink and see if you can dis-assemble the faucet. Probably ONLY needs an "o" ring. Wish I was closer I would come by and take care of it for you.
Charlie

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 1
Margaret r W Cross City, FL

yes you may have to open up an entrance to see what Micca S said could be going on that valve ,, I Live in Florida if you lived here I know two people who would help ,, do you have a church family or a group of lady friends with a handy husband???

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 1
Micci S Roswell, GA

@Inspection, I started to say the same thing, problem is she said "tub"
Margaret has some good ideas for people to reach out to

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Pami T Columbus, OH

@ Micci ... tub area is tiled .... not sure if a picture would should the water coming out of the faucet. As I'm not originally from Columbus or Ohio - I have no one here that I can ask for help. The only help I could get would be advice from my local Ace hardware store.
@ Inspection ... it's the tub not the sink.
Not too sure of where the shut-off valve is for the tub fixture ... I think it's behind a ...»
panel in a closet in the room next to the bathroom. I would need to move a bunch of boxes and remove the panel to check - I might try tomorrow. I have problems doing certain DIY tasks because of my rheumatoid arthritis and the number the illness is tryin to do to my hands.
Will keep you all posted ....

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Is it a single valve faucet or an older type with two single valves? The two valve systems usually have a rubber washer in them and the single valve type has o-rings with the valve insert. Since I don't know what your type is I can only tell you about the one we recently fixed here that was a single valve Moen. It was new but some trash got caught in the valve when the connecting lines were soldered together. I contacted Moen, they sent me a replacement valve body with instructions on how ...»
to remove the old one and install the new one. I followed their instructions and viola! Problem solved.
Yours may be a bit different but if you can find out the brand there should be many resources for you online to find the specific information to come to a good resolution for your faucet. Good luck!

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Micci S Roswell, GA

Workin' on it Pami, hang in there! (Paul had good questions - double or single?) Hey! does that tub back up to the closet you mentioned? That could make it a lot easier. (Don't do it tonight, just tomorrow when you can)

on Oct 03, 2011 · Like 0
Pami T Columbus, OH

The tub sits between 2 walls - the wall where the faucets, shower & taps are is the common wall between the bathroom and the corner room where the closet is (the closet - though small - is the connector). The common wall - on the side of the room - in the closet has a rough panel tacked to the sides of the wall where I believe the tub water-works shut-off valve is.
Not sure if any of that makes sense ... lol

on Oct 04, 2011 · Like 0
Atlanta Plumbing Plus Norcross, GA

You description makes sense. You have an access panel in the closet so that you don't have to cut tile to replace the valve. This is a good thing. If it is a single handle valve, you probably need a cartridge for the valve, which can be replaced from the front by removing the trim or cover plate. If it is just the hot water that runs on a two handle shower, it could be the hot water stem that needs to be replaced in the hot side valve and not the entire valve. it's easy to buy stems for ...»
newer shower valves. It can be hard to find replacements for some of the old valves.

on Oct 13, 2011 · Like 1
Pami T Columbus, OH

The other day, I spoke with a very knowledgeable young man/employee at my local Ace Hardware about my problem. They have all sorts of parts to repair my faucet and it should not cost me too much to re-build the hot water tap/faucet. Hopefully, this week-end, I will take the unit apart to see what needs to be replaced and take the damaged pieces to match them up. My concern right now is unscrewing the faucet - there is a mild but obstructive build-up of calcium/lime so I may have to get ...»
some CRL first.
Many thanks to ALL who have given their input to my problem ... :-))

on Oct 13, 2011 · Like 0
Pami T Columbus, OH

Greetings all ... FINALLY, my leaky faucet problem got solved about 2 months ago - found an organization that helps low income senior citizens that had the funds for my repair.. Still paying off the enormous water bill - but, that finishes in July.

on Jun 04, 2012 · Like 1
Paul M Fairburn, GA

What exactly was the problem, or did they tell you?

on Jun 04, 2012 · Like 0
Pami T Columbus, OH

The problem was exactly as I had thought ... the hot water faucet needed replacement as the inside workings had corroded. I got a full replacement - ie hot and cold faucets plus the knob for the shower ... the plumber had to replace the brass fittings that were behind the wall (easily accessible as there was a "hole" in the back wall of the abutting closet).

on Jun 05, 2012 · Like 0
Paul M Fairburn, GA

Well at least you got to the end of that one and pretty painlessly from what you are describing. Way to go!!!!

on Jun 05, 2012 · Like 0