"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
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"No" wrote in message ...
"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
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Old style faucet in the bath tub started leaking two weeks ago. (Cold
water side). Changed the washer, but that didn't work. Noticed that the
seat felt a bit rough. Previous owners must've had a gorilla for a
plumber, because the internal hex faces are totally stripped. No way to
get the seat wrench to grip.

Now what? Don't say "replace the entire valve housing". Please.
Doug - There is also a seat dresser I think its called. A sort of grinder
that will supposedly go in and smooth things over. Also, try a tapered
washer to see if that will help. Some elcheapo faucets do not have
removable seats!


Tapered washer - good idea. As far as "cheap", who knows what's in the
wall. Circa 1956.
A seat dresser or reamer is worth a try. You can also try a piece of emery
cloth attached to the end of the stem. It may take several pieces depending
on how bad the seat is. You will have to use the stem without the housing so
you can rotate it at a constant depth. Another possibility is to grind a
taper on an oversize hex wrench to wedge in the seat. Penetrating oil, heat,
and impact can all help free it but use judgement.

Don Young