I’ve got a very leaky bathtub faucet that appears to be rusted in place, and considering I lack the proper tools (and know-how), and there’s no separate shut-off for the water, I’m just too timid to pound at this thing to get it off and replaced. So I guess I need to pay to have somebody do this for me.
It’s an old house with no access panel (the pipes are in the external wall), and what’s in place doesn’t seem to match the guides I’ve seen online. Any suggestions on a handyman or plumber who will do this right and affordably would be appreciated. Or if one of my loyal readers has the skills, the tools and the will, the pizza and beer is on me.
Goldy you sniveling tightwad.
PAY UNION WAGES DUMBASS!!
You talk the talk of the Unions mighty fine Goldy…but when it comes to action, you are a LIMP DICKED SCROOGE!
PS–
There has to be a shut-off somewhere…if not in the house, then at the meter.
Keep us posted on this do-it yourself “bound to be a f*ck-up” home improvement project.
PS–
Be sure to take your goat out of the tub before attempting anything!
There has to be a shut-off somewhere…if not in the house, then at the meter.
——————
The water utility can provide guidance on the meter.
Perhaps the gravest challenge of HA’s young life – finding a loyal reader who also has actual manual skills.
well, you people never like to pay full price anyway
Goldy
Sometimes it’s best to spend the extra few bucks to get it done right, and this is one of those times.
Hire a plumber.
Assuming you live in one of the houses in the neighborhood around the Ale House, older plumbing can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don’t do it right.
I concur with John Barelli–
I live in an old house that had absolutely nightmare original plumbing. We didn’t even know the extent of the horror until we exposed it all in the basement ceilings…oy. I hired a professional plumber who couldn’t believe what a mess of ignorance all that represented. He figured someone’s uncle probably did all that stuff, or friend who had done a lot of “farmer’s plumbing” (as he termed it). We redid everything we could that was exposed, and do not regret it one bit. We won’t have to worry in our lifetimes about what was replaced, and that is unbelievably reassuring.
If you don’t know what you are doing, plumbing is not easy and can really cause horrible hassles (and even more expense).
My favorite plumber is Bob Oates, a Brooklyn native.
Reasonable prices but I think you’re a little out of his way in the south end.
http://www.boboates.com/
Bud Krogh is still in town, isn’t he?
Oh, a bit on how to hire a plumber, assuming that you don’t have a trusted friend with a recommendation. (I’d love to help, but my guy here in Gig Harbor does charge travel time.)
First: Avoid the big-box chain hardware stores that offer plumbing services. If there was a command that let me make that flash in bright red letters, it still wouldn’t be a strong enough message.
Look for a locally owned business that has been around for a few years. The big outfits rely on advertising. The small ones rely on word-of-mouth. Who do you think will do a better job?
If the company is willing to give you an estimate over the phone, thank them nicely and call someone else. Plumbing jobs can no more be estimated over the phone than fixed over the phone.
And don’t be afraid to ask that the estimate be “firm”. Ethical plumbers (and most are) have no problem sticking by their estimates. Watch out for the “oh, you wanted the water in the pipes! That’ll be extra!”
At the first sign of that, escort the person to the door, no matter what stage the job is in. Better to find someone else to finish the job that you’d probably have to have re-done anyway.
Last, but not least, be aware that some “plumbers” are not licensed or bonded. Their work is always suspect and you should just avoid them. Look for the nametag reading “Joe“. That’s often a sign you should check the license.
I know there are plenty of hard working Mexicans that will do it for cheaper than most plumping companies that want to charge you a $100 minimum just to come out to your house.
Cynical @1,
Learn to read. I wrote that there was “no separate shut-off…” Of course there’s a shut-off to the house, but I can’t separately shut off the water to the bathtub, so if I fuck up, it means I’m without water everywhere, and that puts me in an emergency situation where I have to pay for speed and promptness.
@3 David …
Goldy
David is correct there has to be a shut off for the house!
Beyond, that my guess is that you will beed to open either the external wall or the internal wall. Do you know what sort of pipe is behind there? copper? Galvi?
@11 Goldy
I did not read about the separate shut off but as far as I know there should not be one,
If you want to do this yourself, I would:
1. look down stairs at the pipes leading to this. If they are galvi, get help or plan a large effort to replace as much as you can.
2. If the pipe is copper or plastic then the problme is probably in the wall. Plastic is a bummer too but probably not worth replacing since I would expect problem is in the wall.
3. shut off the house, drain the water coming to this place by opening the faucet.
If you are worried about the emergency issue, installing a shut off in the line to the faucet is no biggie if you can access the pipe and it is copper. Of course this might also shut of your sink and WC, depnding on how much access oyu have!
I am not sure leaving a shut off in line is code, but I think ot should be. So you could see how much of an problem you have in the wall before deciding to put in a shut off valve. BTW, I think you want a “gate” valve for that.
If you do not know how to solder I suspect HD can show you in a few mins. It is not hard, main thing is learning to clean surfaces and flow the solder.
4, You need to figure out where the leak is. If the faucet will not wrench off, likely it is attached to galvi but this may be just a short nipple. In that case the leak may well be at the nipple and opening the interior wall so you can get to it will be best. Then you will probably be able to remove the galvi nipple and replace it with a new one .. avoid galvi if you can though it will likely last longer than you will in that house.
If it does wrench off then likely you do not have a galvi issue and could just need some teflon tape to reseat the faucet ( I would bet this is not the case) or a new faucet.
Hope this helps. We do have the name of a good and inexpensive fellow who can do this.
http://www.raddykeplumber.com
Call Zan, she is union and advertises on 1090. I am sure you can work something out.
How about Joe the Plumber?
14 – Almost forgot to mention her!
You’re committed now Goldy.
Goldy, what’s wrong with union labor?
Or you can call Samuel Wurzelbacher. Tommy Thompson is toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
stupid to know his real name.
Goldy—
You probably will have to shut off the water to the whole house.
BTW, do you mind if I come over & film this pending catastrophe? O’Reilly is probably laughing his ass off at your dilemma. O’Reilly would simply hire a well-trained Union Plumber.
Goldy the Plumber. I’m with Tommy, why don’t you call Joe??
Anyway, I really think you ought to have an expert at least look at this mess and give you an estimate. Perhaps if you pull your dick outta the faucet, the leak will stop?
If you let me film this Goldy, the TITLE of the film will make or break it as a Box Office success.
How about this..
“Goldy and his Rusty Pipe”??
It’s a double-entendre.
Your other pipe is rusty from a lack of use the past 6 years.
Get it?
Goldy,
Many residential homes don’t have a downstream shut-off inside the house…that costs the builder money, plus it’s just something else that could fuck up.
Try this:
Post a picture on line. Then we’ll know what kind of faucet you have. Maybe somebody here will see something (at least we get to see your tub!)
I know several commercial plumbers who like to do side jobs. But I think throwing some biz to Zan the rad-dyke plumber is the way to go. Maybe she’ll give you a discount for some ad space on this blog.
It could be as simple as replacing the washers. Replacing the seat washer is practically idiot proof. At worst, the faucet will still leak.
Did you test to see if it’s the hot water leaking? The hot water tank always has a shut off valve.
Good luck.
Post a picture on line. Then we’ll know what kind of faucet you have.
Exactly what are we talking about here?
Goldy,
If you want to replace the faucet due to aesthetics…hire a plumber. Depending on the type of pipe and valve, you gotta’ open the wall to get to the damnned thing, and if all the joints are threaded galvy pipe you are really fucked. Substantial wall repair might also be required afterward.
Then you can hire a carpenter, a taper, a tile setter (as may apply) and possibly a painter. The Building Trades Council is in the phone book.
Here’s another idea: Call up SCC Duwamish campus. That’s where they train apprentices for some of the trades.
Or you could just sell the place, but I hear the market’s not so hot these days.
“Exactly what are we talking about here?”
So we could see what kind of valve it is…mixing (like a standard Delta shower faucet, round cover on handle you twist to mix the temp. v. stem (the standard tub monstrosity with the three handles) for instance. Replacing the mixing kind is a lot easier, but usually they are installed in showers. Just a thought.
Proud–
I don’t think this is the job for an apprentice.
You are right…Goldy will pretty much have to tear out the bathroom wall.
But if there is some leaking inside the wall, Goldy might be mighty glad he did. Mold and mildew. Nasty.
We had a bathroom remodel done in a house that was built in 1888. The plumbing had been replaced several times and was in shockingly good shape. It was on the main floor. The crazy thing is the bathtub had virtually ZERO support. It was essentially dangling above the crawl space and the flooring around it was starting to rot due to leaks.
Goldy, if you plan on staying in the house, have an expert do it.
I say have cynical do it. he is always touting the virtues of barely paid labor.
God Goldy you’re a helpless little worm. All houses (with the exception of some of those that get water from a well) have a main valve on the house line that comes of the main on the street (usually near the water meter if you have one). Go find it, if you can manage. Jeez!
Goldy,
I’m really on my lips tonight, and I just can’t stop. If you can find out the make/model of the faucet, you might be able to find replacement parts (handles and covers). Generally these can be removed with nothing more than a screwdriver (the tool not the drink). If the spout is beyond ugly, sometimes it, too, can be removed and replaced. Then you don’t get the mess of replacing the valve (the part in the wall cavity).
I might have contacts in El Paso who can obtain just about anything, but they are not cheap. I hear cynical deals with them also.
dumbass @ 26: Didn’t you read the darned post? Goldy is not a competent plumber, and he is rightly worried that in his zeal to outdo Tim the Toolman he would irreparably mangle the job, and not be able to finish it, leaving him totally without water for god-knows-how-long until repairs could be effected by somebody else.
Wingnuts….totally disconnected from reality.
Proud To Be An Ass spews:
Nor is he a competent Blogger.
However, Goldy is a competent punching bag for O’Reilly!
Goldy, go out, find a book for basic plumbing repairs, and teach yourself how to do it.
If the shut off isn’t under the sink (it’s a regular house, right?) in the basement, or at the meter, you have a very weird house :D
OK, here’s what you do, turn the water off. Get some WD-40, spray the area your need to remove (the THREADS not the whole thing). Let it sit for a minute, and gentle ease that faucet off.
Replace rubber gasket, replace old faucet handle (if you want to) turn water on.
Enjoy.
Edit: I just realized it was to your bathtub. There should be an access panel around or near your tub. try the hallway next to your bathroom.
Anok,
It’s the BATH TUB fer chissakes.
Goldy knows about the meter shut-off.
The part about the WD-40 is a good tip. I generally use cheap bourbon.
Anok,
Per Goldy, the faucet is on an exterior wall, something you will never see in a newer house.
@ 28. Proud To Be An Ass
Yeah, I read it putz. Mechanical ineptness appears to be your calling. And if I’m so out of touch, then why can I do my own basic plumbing and you cannot? Get back to your warm and safe cubicle before you get a paper-cut.
Mark1: Some can sweat it, others can not.
Plumbing humor!
I’m sure Joe the plumber is available to handle the “mans work” around the Goldstain household…the good news is the Democrats in the Ohio system have thoroughly checked his background illegally and he appears to be a more than above board person capable of doing an adequate job, unlike yourself.
Why do I get that flashback to the Seinfeld episode where Jerry and George stand in awe of someone actually having the know how to build an actual wood cabin…something about “we can’t, but two men could”? Take from that what you will.
all this from faucet probs
the love oozes for the Golden Boy
by the way, fill some bottles for water, piss in the yard and you can endur for a couple of days
get it fixed by talent – or – face many more probs later
ZAN is totally cool, and does great raunchy comedy from time to time
Goldy, go to Walmart and buy your plumbing parts. Just don’t let anyone who knows John Deadwards see you there.
@31, 32
For some reason I had it in my head it was a sink :P Even if it’s on an exterior wall, there should be an access panel for the plumbing.
I revel in old homes and panels were the shiznit then. :D
Wasting bourbon on a rusty faucet. BLASPHEMY!! *shakes head*
I think he meant to say “Plumber or Handyman?”…. but hell, his limitations are so seemingly endless, does it really matter at this point?
Hey Goldy, Sell the Johnny Cash impersonator outfit you wore on O’Reilly’s show and maybe you’ll be able to afford a couple of hungry man TV dinners for one of your marionettes who can turn a wrench and solve the problem for you.
Plumber of Handyman?
Is that a statement or are you just advertising your occupation since leaving KIRO710 am Radio?
…Dan Savage will be glad to know he’s converted at least one…
I can’t believe these right wing idiots still swoon over that Joe the Plumber fraud.
I will email you the name I talked about.
@41 YLB:
At least that’s employment, which continues to elude you. (waves hand)
@1 That sniveling post says volumes about the liberal mindset. WAAAAAH. Goldy, call the BIAW
and ask them for a reference. Or, maybe Obama
could start a plumbing program for people who
want to pay with pizza. UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE.
WAAAAAAH
31. Proud To Be An Ass spews:
I refuse to keep cheap bourbon in my house!
Or anything cheap for that matter.
Goldy, get a sledge hammer and start hacking down that bathroom wall. Drywall & tile are cheap and you MUST see if there is any leaking Behind the wall.
Then just start beating & pummeling that dang leaky faucet!
Goldy…CALL AN EXPERT. You simply do not have the temperment or aptitude for this job.
35. Rick D. spews:
Great Seinfeld Episode.
Goldy heretofore shall be referred to as:
David Castanza KLOWNstein
an inept loser who can’t even fix a faucet.
41. YLB spews:
Goldy would give his tiny Left Nut to have Joe as a friend staying at his place about now! You call Joe a fraud…I call him a man who can actually fix something!
Goldy would give his tiny Left Nut to have Joe as a friend staying at his place about now! You call Joe a fraud…I call him a man who can actually fix something!
———————-
It will certainly go down as a shameful episode in HA’s short history when the HA faithful, full of all sorts of lofty notions on how to address some of the most complex issues of our times, can’t produce a single person with a wrench and know-how to fix Goldy’s leaky faucet.
Cynical @ 45: If Goldy’s got drywall in the bathroom near the tub, he’s got another problem. The area around any tub or shower which might have a signicant amount of humidity or water splash should be greenboard, not drywall. Greenboard is more water-resistent and less prone to becoming a breeding grown for mold.
By the way, I could also use a referral to a good, licensed, plumber in the Everett area. Union membership preferred. I don’t mind working on plastic or galvinized steel pipes, but I’d rather not work on copper pipes. They are too soft and easy to crack while tightening a join. My old plumber retired, and the guy he sold the business to isn’t anywhere near the same calibre.
Usually on these old tub faucets you remove the handle, then the escutcheon, then you’ve accessed the valve. If you can’t get a wrench on the valve, you can widen the opening a bit but don’t go beyond what the escutcheon covers. Or get yourself a deep socket. Most big box stores have a bunch of different replacement valves and washers, as well as a few inexpensive tools such as deep sockets and a handtool used to reseat the valve. There’s a place up on Capitol Hill that has the more hard to find parts. Wherever you go, take your old valve with you and make absolutely certain that you’ve bought the right replacement.
From your post it’s difficult to tell what state your little project is in. Is it something like what I’ve described? Have you removed the escutcheon but now find the valve itself is stuck? If you want, send me an email and let me know where you’re at with this.
rhp–
Sounds like Goldy has an old house…who knows what is behind the tile.
If I were doing that project, I would want to know…not just band-aid it.
Know what I mean?
can’t produce a single person with a wrench and know-how to fix Goldy’s leaky faucet
Those of us with the tools and some know-how, wouldn’t touch this job with a ten foot pole. Hire a professional plumber Goldy, it’s an old house and the plumbing probably needs to be redone.
@44: Pfister you.
@38: “Wasting bourbon on a rusty faucet. BLASPHEMY!! *shakes head*”
Obviously you have not imbibed enough cheap bourbon to know any better. :)
Hey Goldy, check out FOX Plumbing for sure! They rank high at BBB plus Angie’s List, referred to me by a neighbor.
http://www.foxph.com/
You seriously need a pro (I just finished living 15 months of Hell and better than $15,000 in mold abatement repairs). ALL the estimators were SHOCKED to see the jury-rigged 5 splices in the sewer pipe by a do-it-yourselfer, all of those guys exclaimed that was illegal!
FOX charged me $3,850 incl tax with firm-on-paper, bid. Compared to the $11,000 to $15,000 bids from 3 others.
Difference was that Fox estimator was a baby boomer aged guy who grew up in the business & actually knew his stuff as to what was needed. The other outfits relied on their computer quoting software that upped the ante for every burp the plumber might emit.
Whatever you do, though, stay AWAY from Beacon Plumbing. There was an expose on Chan5 last year, plus they charged me $1,000 for a single pipe, compared to Fox bid for ALL the rest of the drain pipes in the house. Good luck!
@ 55, by the way Goldy, the plan laid out by that FOX estimator meant that the plumber tore out a Minimum number of walls and ceilings to get at all the pipes. He saved me a fortune later in the reconstruction!
Raise your right hand and repeat this incantation:
“Shit floats downhill and payday is on Friday.”
There, now you’re a plumber.