Topic: need some plumbing/home improvement help

[stay youth]

Hello, I know we have some talented knowledgeable people here. My kitchen faucet is leaking,  and the screw that i need to removed is completely corroded in. I don't want to use liquid wrench since I like to drink out of the faucet. Might anyone have any suggestions of getting a brass(I think) screw out of a chromed metal body? And what might be the likely culprit of the dripping?

any suggestions are greatly appreciated

[333]

Okay, here goes.  What screw?  What does it hold on?  Is it the screw that holds the handle on, or is it apart and a screw holding a rubber washer on?

[UnCrash]

Most leaking comes from the valve in the faucet, and most commonly mixing valves fail.

Mixing valves are used on one handle fauced setups, and mix hot with cold while controlling the amount of water coming out of the faucet.

First shut off all water to the faucet under the sink.

If your stuck screw is in the faucet handle, I would use liquid wrench there myself, and an impact driver if needed.  If you have a single handle setup, once you pull the handle off you'll see the mixing valve which is usually held in by a horseshoe shaped pin with a little tab on the end wich prodrudes from the plumbing cylinder housing the valve.

Once that retaining pin is out you can ease the mixing valve out.  My last one needed vice grips on the end to get out. 

When you have it out, take it to Lowe's or you local pluming supply and get it replaced.

Good luck!

[stay youth]

Ok thanks for the tips. Sorry I wasnt more descriptive. here are some pics





So liquid wrench wont be bad? I'll grap my impact driver from work. Sorry not great pics


thanks!!!!

[UnCrash]

I'm not saying that liquid wrench is ok.     Just that I personally would use it. 

That looks pretty gnarley.  If you can't get it out, and own your house, you may want to just replace the faucet...  That one is a cheap one.

The mixing valves usually cost 18 bucks.  If you can replace the faucet for $35, it might be a better bet as it will come with the new mixing valve.

Good luck!

[mark]

Liquid Wrench - yes. Impact driver - NO! NO! NO! The innards are plastic and will not take a beating.

Here's a link to a complete faucet-ectomy:
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/plumbing/faucet/delta_peerless/1/overhaul.htm

The parts are available at your friendly neighborhood hardware store - or the big box on the other side of town.


Happy trails.

[stay youth]

hey guys thank you all for the tips. I rent my place so I don't really want to get a new one since I doubt the cheap landlords would pay me back. I'm easily annoyed by things that don't function properly. So should i just apply some liquid wrench then let it sit?



Again thanks so much!

[Steve F]

That knurled ring / cap just below the lever is going to have to be removed too, so why dont you just start there.  Just be sure the water is turned off before you start or you'll have a geyser in the kitchen     After you unscrew the ring / cap, the lever and the innards will come out in one assembly and make taking off the lever easier.  You may be able to replace the o-rings on the cartridge individually or you may be able to find a replacement cartridge assembly.  Either way, that top cover has to come off too.  A little WD or penetrating oil MAY be needed, but GENTLE turning with some channel locks wrapped in a towel should grip it OK.

[fuzzybutt]

i just tried to remove the same screw and the whole damn handle that the screw is holdin on came apart. had to buy a whole new faucet.

[Steve F]

Naw, you didn't need to buy a new faucet, just clamp a pair of vice grips on the stub for a new handle.   

[dusterdude]

who pays the water bill?