The cold-water tap in the master bathroom has gone tango-uniform. When turned on it emits very little water, it's inclined to drip when turned off, and it doesn't feel right.

I presume something's gone wonky in its innards.

Problem #1 is: I can't figure out how the flaming thing comes apart.

Looks like this:



Anybody here have any clue?

TIA!

ETA: Everything above where the arrow points turns when the handle is turned.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ensigmatic,

With a sawzall and Tonya Harding...


Do you know the manufacturer?

Is there a set screw on the back side of the handle portion? Might be covered by a snap-in cap.

I wouldn't bother with repair, replace


ETA, taking back my replace comment if this is all there is to replacing the cartridge. This vid may help you

The cartridge is the most likely part that needs replacement; these typically need replacement every decade or so, and sometimes more often if you have hard water.

There's usually a small hex-head set screw on the handle that must be unscrewed to reveal the cartridge. (Be sure to shut off the water supply before disassembling.)

Or sometimes part of the handle itself unscrews from the base.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Do you know the manufacturer?

Might be American Standard? Not certain.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
Is there a set screw on the back side of the handle portion? Might be covered by a snap-in cap.

No set-screws or snap-in/-out caps I can see.

Only thing that comes off is the handle, where you see the red/blue bands on each. But un-screwing and removing those seems to have no other effect than removing the handles.

Hot water side works?

Maybe some schmutz in the cold side line?


If you know the make and model they probably have a diagram on their web page..

Check the water by disconnecting the cold side and see if you have pressure before the handle just to be sure it's not the valve coming off the line out of the wall before you tear stuff apart.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
No set-screws or snap-in/-out caps I can see.

Only thing that comes off is the handle, where you see the red/blue bands on each. But un-screwing and removing those seems to have no other effect than removing the handles.

Is there a set screw accessible inside the base of the handle once you unscrew the front half of the handle?

Or does unscrewing the front half of the handle then allow you to unscrew the base of the handle for removal? Or perhaps pull up on the base of the handle for removal?

If you figure out what brand it is, taking it apart is all online.

If it's a name brand Moen, Delta, or Kohler it should be under warranty and they will replace it or send you parts.

The handles unscrew so you can swap them for porcelain handles.

Unscrew the line on the cold side and run it in a bucket to check flow.

If good then unscrew the cold faucet and bring it the plumbing store for a replacement or clean it.

I think the bottom part (the spherically shaped bit) screws off the base exposing the innards.

Notice the seam about a quarter inch up from the bottom?

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Hot water side works?

Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Maybe some schmutz in the cold side line?

That was my first suspicion--then I noticed the thing didn't feel right when turning it. Plus there's the fact it's reluctant to turn fully off, as well.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
Is there a set screw accessible inside the base of the handle once you unscrew the front half of the handle?

Or does unscrewing the front half of the handle then allow you to unscrew the base of the handle for removal?

No and no.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
If you figure out what brand it is, ...

And there's the rub

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I think the bottom part (the spherically shaped bit) screws off the base exposing the innards.

Perhaps. I was hoping for some input before trying to wrench on anything.

At least you can try it by hand without getting into trouble.

Take off the handle. Pad up your pipe wrench then place it on the spherical part of the faucet body and tap it gently with a mallet to see if there's movement.

It's a Moen Monticello, and the base of the handle unscrews, use tape or nylon surfaced plyers.

The spherical part unscrews by hand. A rubber strap wrench might make it easy.

Is it this one: Moen Monticello?

I would also try pulling straight up on the handle, perhaps tapping the underside of the handle lightly with a soft-faced hammer, like your Shooboy with the plastic tip. I have had faucet handles that were held in place by a detent/ridge on the faucet body. You couldn't pull them out, but a little tap and they came right off. These were European kitchen faucets if that makes a difference. I would also take a good look at the underside before going further.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
It's a Moen Monticello, and the base of the handle unscrews, use tape or nylon surfaced plyers.

quote:

Originally posted by 83v45magna:
The spherical part unscrews by hand.

quote:

Originally posted by ShouldBFishin:
Is it this one: Moen Monticello?

Looks like you three nailed it! Thanks! I knew the SF Oracle would get it

Looks like I just ran out of excuses for not fixing this tout de suite

quote:

Originally posted by 83v45magna:
The spherical part unscrews by hand. A rubber strap wrench might make it easy.



[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nigz6ni7I3I" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]

Why in the world are they showing that you should throw away the faucet body instead of the old faucet valve in step 4 in the diagram above??