Seats & Springs

Drip...drip...drip.

The Peerless faucet on our bathroom sink is about 20 years old, and is the only faucet in the house that hasn't been repaired or replaced in the 12 years we've lived here. 

It recently developed a steady drip from the spout.

If you haven't already encountered this issue, it is a fairly easy fix. Peerless fixtures use Delta replacement parts, and drips at the spout are generally a result of worn out springs and seats (which are available at most hardware stores).

Unfortunately, our "under the sink" shut offs aren't in good shape, so I typically turn off the pressure valve next to the water meter:

(I put marks with a Sharpie on the handle and the nut so I know where to set it when I turn the water pressure back on). 

To make sure you got it off, go to your faucet and turn it on: the water should go from a stream to nothing.

Next, remove the faucet handles. Handles can be affixed in different ways. Ours are held on the side by a little hex screw. I used my handy Allen wrench to remove them (if you don't have an Allen wrench set, it is worthwhile to invest in a set since many things use hex nuts or screws).

Once the screw or nut is out, pull the handles off.

You will see stems (a white composite material surrounding a metal stem) -- they are held down by nuts (these look like collars). Sometimes you can remove the collar by hand. In other instances you might need an adjustable wrench. Turn counterclockwise.

The next step is to get the stems out. Depending on the amount of calcified gunk built up, you can use a wrench to grab the metal ends and pull straight up.

If it is being obstinate (and before you panic), try pouring some household vinegar around the stem and soak it for a bit to try and loosen some of the crud. 

And...take a pic with your phone of the orientation of the stem mechanism so you can put it back in the correct way.

Once out, you will reveal the black rubber seats (cups) sitting in holes down in the faucet. I'd recommend using an Allen wrench (like the one you used to remove the screws on the handles) to gently remove the springs and seats.

Once out, clean up any gunk inside. You might want to use some vinegar on an old rag, or use an old toothbrush to gently clean it (if you don't have a better brush available). 

Delta/Peerless faucets use a standard set of cups and springs for their faucets. The Delta and Peerless websites can both tell you which part to get, or you can take them to a hardware or home improvement store and they can assist.

When you put the new seats and springs in, it is helpful to thread them onto the Allen wrench -- that will allow you to slide them together down into the hole.

Make sure the flat end of the rubber seat is facing up, and the narrow end of the spring is facing up.

Delta has a good video demonstrating this with a "single-handle" faucet, but it is the same principle for replacing the seats and springs on two-handle fixtures: 

Once you have put in the new seats and springs, re-assemble the stems and handles. Then, turn the water back on (either underneath the sink or at the shutoff/pressure valve by the meter) and try it out.

If you are uncomfortable with any of this, please call a friend, family member, neighbor or plumber to help you out.

Read yesterday's blog post: The Ill-Fated Fusion of Video and a Record Album