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2012-03-12 11:06 AM

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Subject: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts

Long story short, leaky cold water faucet in shower stall. No rear access. Took apart valves and repacked. No leak but one stem is broken where handle attaches (old school silver "cross" style handles) and trim is pitted and ugly. Anyone know what make these stems are? Hot and cold are the same.



Edited by mrbbrad 2012-03-12 11:09 AM




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2012-03-12 11:46 AM
in reply to: #4092078

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
Is it a Kohler or Moen faucet setup, or ??? (The faucet should have some kind of Vendor name, I would think, and then take it from there and check out Home Depot, Loews, etc.)
2012-03-12 12:50 PM
in reply to: #4092174

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
Maybe I should have been more clear; I've been to Depot, Lowes, a mom and pop hardware, and two plumbing supply houses. I have guesses of Central Brass, and Gerber but nothing I can find online for either manufacturer matches. There is no marking on the fixture as to who made it. I'm guessing it's original parts which would put it around 60 years old.
2012-03-12 1:56 PM
in reply to: #4092078

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
mrbbrad - 2012-03-12 12:06 PM

Long story short, leaky cold water faucet in shower stall. No rear access. Took apart valves and repacked. No leak but one stem is broken where handle attaches (old school silver "cross" style handles) and trim is pitted and ugly. Anyone know what make these stems are? Hot and cold are the same.

2012-03-12 2:09 PM
in reply to: #4092078

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts

I don't know if this place would be of any help.  There's a link that you can send a photo to them for help in identification of the part.

http://hardtofindplumbingparts.com/

 

 

2012-03-12 2:19 PM
in reply to: #4092518

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
tmueller - 2012-03-12 3:09 PM

I don't know if this place would be of any help.  There's a link that you can send a photo to them for help in identification of the part.

http://hardtofindplumbingparts.com/

 

 

Great link, thanks! I also found these guys and sent them the same photo.

http://www.faucetstems.com/index.php



2012-03-12 3:23 PM
in reply to: #4092078

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
Cut it out and replace the whole setup.  You will be happier in the long run, and if you don't have a problem already, you should consider creating some sort of in wall access point for when a problem arises.  Since you already have the valves out, I would be somewhat concerned about the rest of the in-wall setup.  I had to do just this with my old house.  50+ years.  replaced packing.  3 months later, leaking again.  replaced valves, 2 months later leaking again.  Finally replaced the whole faucet assembly from inside the wall.  Problem solved and the new hardware looked great.  (Please note, I had an access panel on the back wall already.
2012-03-12 3:33 PM
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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
velocomp - 2012-03-12 4:23 PM

Cut it out and replace the whole setup.  You will be happier in the long run, and if you don't have a problem already, you should consider creating some sort of in wall access point for when a problem arises.  Since you already have the valves out, I would be somewhat concerned about the rest of the in-wall setup.  I had to do just this with my old house.  50+ years.  replaced packing.  3 months later, leaking again.  replaced valves, 2 months later leaking again.  Finally replaced the whole faucet assembly from inside the wall.  Problem solved and the new hardware looked great.  (Please note, I had an access panel on the back wall already.


I was forced to do this as, while removing the stems, the hot water one broke leaving the stump in the body. I had to cut an 18" square of drywall from the back wall of the shower, but was able to un-solder the old one and replace the whole set up. I also got the chance to add two shut off valves the builder cheaped out on as well as repaint the bathroom after putting the piece of drywall back. Two weekend job, but it's good for another 40 years.
2012-03-12 6:09 PM
in reply to: #4092735

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts

pitt83 - 2012-03-12 4:33 PM
velocomp - 2012-03-12 4:23 PM Cut it out and replace the whole setup.  You will be happier in the long run, and if you don't have a problem already, you should consider creating some sort of in wall access point for when a problem arises.  Since you already have the valves out, I would be somewhat concerned about the rest of the in-wall setup.  I had to do just this with my old house.  50+ years.  replaced packing.  3 months later, leaking again.  replaced valves, 2 months later leaking again.  Finally replaced the whole faucet assembly from inside the wall.  Problem solved and the new hardware looked great.  (Please note, I had an access panel on the back wall already.
I was forced to do this as, while removing the stems, the hot water one broke leaving the stump in the body. I had to cut an 18" square of drywall from the back wall of the shower, but was able to un-solder the old one and replace the whole set up. I also got the chance to add two shut off valves the builder cheaped out on as well as repaint the bathroom after putting the piece of drywall back. Two weekend job, but it's good for another 40 years.

 

That was my first plan; cut an access panel and replace the whole thing with new parts. I've done it before in other homes. Measured out the distance from the shower to the wall. measured commensurate distance to closet in adjoining bedroom, doubled checked, checked again. Yup, Closet is right behind shower. Great! Cut hole in wall only to find a cinder block wall. They blocked in the pipes! That's a "someday" project, but not this day. I have a lead that they might be Gerber. I'll keep you all posted.



Edited by mrbbrad 2012-03-12 6:11 PM
2012-03-12 8:06 PM
in reply to: #4092979

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
mrbbrad - 2012-03-12 7:09 PM

pitt83 - 2012-03-12 4:33 PM
velocomp - 2012-03-12 4:23 PM Cut it out and replace the whole setup.  You will be happier in the long run, and if you don't have a problem already, you should consider creating some sort of in wall access point for when a problem arises.  Since you already have the valves out, I would be somewhat concerned about the rest of the in-wall setup.  I had to do just this with my old house.  50+ years.  replaced packing.  3 months later, leaking again.  replaced valves, 2 months later leaking again.  Finally replaced the whole faucet assembly from inside the wall.  Problem solved and the new hardware looked great.  (Please note, I had an access panel on the back wall already.
I was forced to do this as, while removing the stems, the hot water one broke leaving the stump in the body. I had to cut an 18" square of drywall from the back wall of the shower, but was able to un-solder the old one and replace the whole set up. I also got the chance to add two shut off valves the builder cheaped out on as well as repaint the bathroom after putting the piece of drywall back. Two weekend job, but it's good for another 40 years.

 

That was my first plan; cut an access panel and replace the whole thing with new parts. I've done it before in other homes. Measured out the distance from the shower to the wall. measured commensurate distance to closet in adjoining bedroom, doubled checked, checked again. Yup, Closet is right behind shower. Great! Cut hole in wall only to find a cinder block wall. They blocked in the pipes! That's a "someday" project, but not this day. I have a lead that they might be Gerber. I'll keep you all posted.

Fun! I hate plumbing. Just started replacing a tile shower in my ex's house where the pan had apparently been leaking for a while. What a mess. It's only when you start tearing away you find out how poorly some builders slap things together.

2012-03-12 9:11 PM
in reply to: #4092078

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
I am pretty sure they are Gerber. Gerber was real big back in the 50's and they were horrible for marking their products. I was told when replacing mine that it was Gerber because of the 'star' end of the stem was most popular for gerber at the time. Not sure how accurate that is but I was able to find an exact replacement.


2012-03-13 5:49 AM
in reply to: #4092979

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts
mrbbrad - 2012-03-12 7:09 PM

pitt83 - 2012-03-12 4:33 PM
velocomp - 2012-03-12 4:23 PM Cut it out and replace the whole setup.  You will be happier in the long run, and if you don't have a problem already, you should consider creating some sort of in wall access point for when a problem arises.  Since you already have the valves out, I would be somewhat concerned about the rest of the in-wall setup.  I had to do just this with my old house.  50+ years.  replaced packing.  3 months later, leaking again.  replaced valves, 2 months later leaking again.  Finally replaced the whole faucet assembly from inside the wall.  Problem solved and the new hardware looked great.  (Please note, I had an access panel on the back wall already.
I was forced to do this as, while removing the stems, the hot water one broke leaving the stump in the body. I had to cut an 18" square of drywall from the back wall of the shower, but was able to un-solder the old one and replace the whole set up. I also got the chance to add two shut off valves the builder cheaped out on as well as repaint the bathroom after putting the piece of drywall back. Two weekend job, but it's good for another 40 years.

 

That was my first plan; cut an access panel and replace the whole thing with new parts. I've done it before in other homes. Measured out the distance from the shower to the wall. measured commensurate distance to closet in adjoining bedroom, doubled checked, checked again. Yup, Closet is right behind shower. Great! Cut hole in wall only to find a cinder block wall. They blocked in the pipes! That's a "someday" project, but not this day. I have a lead that they might be Gerber. I'll keep you all posted.



Brilliant. My first house was built in 1890. Both indoor plumbing and electricity were add-ons. I've found things which should have burned down or flooded the house.
2012-03-16 12:00 PM
in reply to: #4092078

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Subject: RE: Ask This Old BT - Old plumbing parts

**Thread Update**

The Gerber rebuild kit from the plumbing supply didn't fit and they say they don't have anything else. Have an eamil out to Tom at faucetstems.com and will be checking another plumbing supply place in the city. I'm told they have "everything". We'll see.

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