Kitchen sink

[stomachmonkey]

So I have this fixture that started dripping.

It's one of those single handle check ball valve type.

It's been an absolute beotch to get apart due to calcification etc...

Went to work on it again today but no love.

Wife said call a plumber to which my response was I know of no way a plumber will get this apart without destroying it meaning we'll need a new fixture so rather than incur both expenses let's just get a new fixture and I'll replace it.

Now the interesting thing I discovered by accident is it is less prone to leaking if the water pressure is turned up.

Why is that?

It's counter intuitive.

If the seals are going then one would think less water pressure makes it leak less but I'm finding the opposite.

This is the type of valve we are discussing.

[MRM]

The higher water pressure is pushing the loose pieces together so they don't leak anymore.

[recycled sixtie]

If the tap is really old it might be worth replacing the tap with a new one....

[Evans, Marv]

Your plan of replacing it with a new fixture is the way to go. When I had rental property, those kinds of valves drove me crazy. I prefer those with separate hot & cold valves.

[flyenby]

Install the new kit did you put a small amount of plumbers grease on the seals ?

[Por_sha911]

Looks like a Delta product. Make sure everything is clean and replace the springs and rubber seals and all will be good. Ask me how I know.

[Gogar]

How do you know?

[stomachmonkey]

It's 8 years old.

House was a new build.

It's not apart, that was a stock photo. After you pull the handle off there is a decorative cap with integral nut on the top. The calcification is on the underside / threads of the cap. It's soft metal and there is no where to grab the cap (other than the nut normally hidden by the handle) to loosen it without destroying the finish.

Cap is on there so securely that the entire unit, base and all started turning. Garbage disposal in front of the fixture underneath so no room to hold it from below without removing disposal. Not going through all that trouble. Have I mentioned how much I hate working upside down in cramped spaces?

After thinking about it I realized why it does not leak.

I had assumed the check ball cut off flow from the lines when in fact it just shuts off flow to the spigot. The internal pressure from the line side pushes / forces the check ball against the spigot side seal.

It actually needs the pressure to seal.

[stomachmonkey]

The cap is similar to this, different finish. You can see there is minimal contact area for a crescent which of course slips because they just always effinn do and the cap cap is on too securely so it's just deforming the soft metal.

I believe it's 34 mm or thereabouts and the largest box end I have is a 32. Figures.

[MBAtarga]

Personally, I would bite the bullet and replace the fixture altogether.
Oh - and this is the type of plumbers wrench you need on the underside of the sink to avoid obstructions.

[Crowbob]

My 24 year old Delta like that began to drip. What I did was rotate the handle in variable radii circular motions one direction then the other seemed to knock some calcium off the seals or whatever but it hasn't dripped since.

[M.D. Holloway]

heat makes it expand?

[pen15]

Many higher end brands have a lifetime warranty. May be worth checking into.

[stevej37]

The Moen single handle faucet in the bathroom started leaking around the handle when using it.
It was the aerator/screen that was partially plugged. Replaced with a new one and it hasn't leaked since.