how to repair a faucet valve seat

1. Turn off the shower water supply valve to the faucet if you can access it. ...
2. Slip the blade of a small flat-head screwdriver in the small spot along the edge of the faucet handle button.
3. Remove the exposed screw and pull the shower faucet handle off the shower stem. ...
4. Insert a seat wrench into the stem opening. Turn the wrench counterclockwise to remove the damaged valve washer seat.
5. Apply liquid thread seal on the threads of the replacement seat. Place the seat on the wrench and insert it into the stem opening.
6. Insert the stem into the stem opening on the shower wall. Use the shower stem socket to tighten it clockwise.
7. Cover the stem with the handle and secure it with the screw you removed previously. Snap the button back onto the handle and turn on your shower’s water supply.

Full Answer

How do you fix a leaky faucet valve?

To remove the old valve seat, insert the wrench into the seat and turn it counterclockwise quickly and firmly. If the valve is stuck, apply penetrating oil or spray lubricant and wait for a few minutes, then try again. Put a new seat in the faucet and set it in place with the seat wrench.

Can you replace the seat of a faucet?

Of course, you can replace the entire faucet. Another option is to replace the seat. Removal of the old valve seat is fairly simple if you have the right tool, called a seat wrench. Insert the seat wrench into the seat and turn it counterclockwise. Once you get the old seat out, be sure the replacement seat you buy is an exact duplicate.

How do you fix a scratched bathroom faucet seat?

Scrub it with an old toothbrush to loosen scale in grooves. Rinse the valve seat with clear cold water and reinstall it in the faucet. To repair a scratched valve seat, sand it down with a faucet seat grinder to remove the irregular spots and smooth out the surface.

How do you remove a stuck valve seat from a faucet?

If the seat is lodged too tightly, and you end up stripping the inlet hole with the seat wrench, you can get out of the predicament with a flat-head screwdriver and a pipe wrench. Not all valve seats are removable, and the way to tell is to look inside the valve housing with a flashlight after you've disassembled the faucet and removed the valve.

Can valve seats be repaired?

Replacing valve seats is one of the basic jobs that is often necessary when rebuilding aluminum or cast iron heads with cracked, damaged or badly worn seats. But there is a lot more to replacing a valve seat than prying out the old one and driving in a new one.

How do you change a faucet seat?

1:223:17How to change faucet seats and springs - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's just a rubber o-ring with a spring behind it and I'm gonna pull that out push in a new one. SoMoreIt's just a rubber o-ring with a spring behind it and I'm gonna pull that out push in a new one. So give it back to my cameraman. There. So I take that out with my needlenose pliers.

How do you fix a broken tap seat?

3:5914:14How to Fix a Worn Out Tap Seat With Replacement Kit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're going to use this one here to fix it okay the first thing is we're going to put this oneMoreAnd we're going to use this one here to fix it okay the first thing is we're going to put this one in here. You can see the thread make her fill the seat in here. Like this and this fellow.

How do I know if my faucet seats are bad?

If the issue with your faucet is a bad valve seat, you are likely to encounter issues with water dripping from around the handle area. The leak may occur whether the faucet is on or off. When this is the case, it is time to call in a plumbing pro to replace your valve seat so you can stop losing water.

Are all faucet seats removable?

Not all valve seats are removable, and the way to tell is to look inside the valve housing with a flashlight after you've disassembled the faucet and removed the valve. If the hole in the bottom of the seat is square or hexagonal, the seat is removable, and you're good to go.

Are all faucet seats the same size?

Quickly identify thread pitch & diameter for 24 of the most common Faucet Seat sizes ranging from 6-32 to 11/16-22. This aluminum gauge features permanently stamped thread sizes and cleanly tapped holes to ensure an accurate measurement every time.

What is a tap valve seat?

Tap Seat: The Tap Seat is the flat, smooth surface inside the tap body that the tap valve seals against. Damage to the Tap Seat through repeated use is often a contributing factor to a leak, as the tap valve is unable to make an effective seal.

How do you remove a valve seat?

2:308:47Replacing Valve Seats, How to rebuild a Porsche 911 Cylinder ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow the valve seat has popped i'm going to go ahead and just take an ordinary pry bar. And i want toMoreNow the valve seat has popped i'm going to go ahead and just take an ordinary pry bar. And i want to be careful when i'm doing this i don't want to damage this sealing surface here we haven't machined

How do you remove a tap seat?

If you installed the screw in tap seats they can be removed using the hex key to unscrew them. If the installation was of the push in seats they can become jammed in. The best way to get them out is with a large size screw extractor or possibly by using a Dynabolt that goes through the centre of the push in seat.

What is the most frequent failure part in a typical faucet?

What is the most frequent failure part in a typical faucet? The part that fails most often is the valve. Sediment from the water passing through the faucet builds up and deteriorates the valve which causes leaks.

How do I remove a stuck or stripped faucet seat?

3:286:59DIY How to remove a stripped or stuck faucet seat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd a face a large flat screwdriver that should be depending on the size of your seat. It should beMoreAnd a face a large flat screwdriver that should be depending on the size of your seat. It should be slightly bigger. And as you can. See.

How do you remove old tap seats?

If you installed the screw in tap seats they can be removed using the hex key to unscrew them. If the installation was of the push in seats they can become jammed in. The best way to get them out is with a large size screw extractor or possibly by using a Dynabolt that goes through the centre of the push in seat.

How do you replace a spring valve seat?

2:023:32How to Replace the Seats and Springs in a Bathroom FaucetYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLooking down into the faucet you should see seats and springs insert an allen wrench into the rubberMoreLooking down into the faucet you should see seats and springs insert an allen wrench into the rubber seat and tilt it slightly to catch the spring underneath remove.

What is the purpose of a faucet seat?

1:326:07How to Use a Seat Wrench to Pull a Faucet Seat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr allow the flow of water now what I'm going to do if you pull the camera away I'm going to showMoreOr allow the flow of water now what I'm going to do if you pull the camera away I'm going to show you what a seat wrench looks like.

How do you change a Delta kitchen faucet seat?

1:316:00How to change the stems, seats and springs in a Delta Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith the spring underneath it Anna you can tell you push down on it and you'll have a little bit ofMoreWith the spring underneath it Anna you can tell you push down on it and you'll have a little bit of spring to it. And you wanna make sure that it goes right in the hole.

How do I remove a faucet seat?

Remove the faucet valve seat from the faucet with a specialized valve seat wrench. Remove the tap and Insert the wrench till it contacts the valve seat. Turn it anti-clockwise to remove the valve seat, and pull the seat out.

What to do if your faucet is still dripping?

If your faucet is still dripping after trying these repairs, you need to replace the faucet valve seat. Ensure you get the identical model and size for your faucet at a plumbing or home supply store. If the seat is stuck, you will need to take off the entire faucet assembly. You should replace the entire faucet if its other components are worn ...

How to remove scale from valve seat?

To remove scale buildup, soak the valve seat in a solution made to remove lime and scale from metal for about an hour. Scrub it with an old toothbrush to loosen scale in grooves.

How to remove a faucet seat and spring?

Insert the end of the small screwdriver or hex key into the seat and spring. Tilt the screwdriver or hex key as you pull it from the faucet body, so the tip of the screwdriver or hex key grabs the seat and spring and removes them. Use the same steps to remove the remaining seat and spring.

What happens when water drips from a Delta faucet?

When water begins to drip from the spout on your single handle Delta faucet, the valve seat and springs beneath the ball valve inside the faucet body have become worn.

Where to put nylon cam on a faucet?

Place the nylon cam on top of the ball valve, making sure you line up the tabs on the side of the cam with the slots in the body of the faucet. Place the packing ring around the top of the cam.

How to remove nylon cam?

Look inside the cap for the brass adjusting ring surrounding the nylon cam if applicable. Use needle-nose pliers to rotate the ring counterclockwise to remove it.

PREPARATION AND WATER SHUTOFF

Take the original valve seat to the store to get the right replacement part. Be aware, however, that not all valve seats are designed to be removed, so be sure to inspect inside the faucet body. If it has a square or hexagonal hole or a slot for a screwdriver, the seat can be replaced.

REMOVE THE VALVE

Next, take out the valve by using the water-pump pliers to loosen and remove the compression valve. Set aside and save any washers and O-rings.

REMOVE THE OLD VALVE SEAT

Select a head that fits snugly in the valve seat and place the head on the seat wrench. To remove the old valve seat, insert the wrench into the seat and turn it counterclockwise quickly and firmly. If the valve is stuck, apply penetrating oil or spray lubricant and wait for a few minutes, then try again.

INSTALL THE NEW SEAT

Put a new seat in the faucet and set it in place with the seat wrench. Set the new seat by turning the wrench clockwise firmly.

REASSEMBLE THE FAUCET

Before reassembling the faucet, flush any ground off debris out of the system. Cover the hole with a rag and turn the water on gently to flush the system. Assemble the compression valve, faucet handle and handle cap. Turn the water on and check for leaks.

How to clean a leaky valve seat?

If so, there's an easy way to clean it. Plug the hole with a small, bunched-up piece of plastic wrap or rubber, then fill the valve with vinegar and let it sit overnight to dissolve the scale.

How to tell if a valve seat is removable?

Not all valve seats are removable, and the way to tell is to look inside the valve housing with a flashlight after you've disassembled the faucet and removed the valve. If the hole in the bottom of the seat is square or hexagonal, the seat is removable, and you're good to go. If the hole is round, on the other hand, the seat isn't removable.

How to jam seat wrenches?

Some seat wrenches have tapered tips, so you can often jam them deeper into the hole by tapping with a hammer. You can also use a flat-head screwdriver if you don't have a seat wrench.

Where is the faucet seat?

The faucet seat is a fitting in the bottom of the faucet valve, with a hole in the middle that allows water to flow. The faucet seat is a fitting in the bottom of the faucet valve, with a hole in the middle that allows water to flow. On some faucets, including two-handle compression and cartridge faucets, this seat is removable.

Can you use a flat head screwdriver on a valve seat?

You can also use a flat-head screwdriver if you don't have a seat wrench. Advertisement. Tap the screwdriver into the hole at the base of the valve seat with a hammer, being careful not to tap hard enough to crack the seat. When the screwdriver is wedged tightly, grip the handle with a pipe wrench and use the wrench as a lever.

Can you replace a seat on a faucet?

If your inspection reveals nicks or other damage to the seat, and the seat is removable, you can replace it with a new one, which you should be able to find at a plumbing supply outlet. You can also take it to a machinist with a faucet seat grinder and have it reground, but replacement seats are inexpensive, so you would only need to do this if you can't find a suitable replacement.

Can you remove a faucet seat?

There is often no reason to remove it, but you might have to if the faucet is very old and you have very hard water. When mineral deposits collect round the inlet hole, the valve can't close all the way, and the faucet leaks. You can buy a faucet seat removal tool, or seat wrench, at any hardware store. Designed specifically for removing valve ...

Why does my faucet leak?

Any type of faucet may encounter leaking due to worn out washers. These metal pieces sit above the valve seat and endure friction through use. After a time, these washers can wear down, eventually causing a leak.

What happens if you have two handle faucets?

This piece influences how much cold and warm water flows through the faucet. If this piece is damaged or worn out, it can result in leaking.

What brands of faucets are good for a leaky faucet?

Nobody loves plumbing, but fixing a leaky faucet can be a quick and easy DIY home improvement project. With trusted brands like Moen, Danco, and Kohler and a knowledgeable staff, Grayco has everything you need to successfully fix a leaky faucet!

Why is my sink leaking?

The cartridge could be the source of your leak issues. Examining the piece for wear and tear may lead you to confirm that it is the reason your sink is leaking. If your cartridge is the cause of the leak, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. As you examine the cartridge, be sure to check the O-ring around the housing for damage and wear.

What is the disc on a faucet?

The small disc that attaches to the faucet stem and helps keep your faucet handles in place is called an O-ring. This ring also undergoes friction when the faucet is in use and can gradually wear down over time.

Do you need to run a leaky faucet after shutting off the water?

Once the water supply has been shut off, you still need to run the leaky faucet to allow any water in the line to drain.