I was trying to stop a drip in my compresion style faucet. Home Depot guy says "easy, just bring in the stem and we'll match her up, and don't forget the seat and spring, it's usually that."

So since he was so helpful I go to Lowe's. I know, I suck. It's closer.

I bought a stem, seat and spring package. The faucet is a Peerless and the parts seem to match up old/new.

But no matter what I do I cannot get water to stop flowing when everything is assembled. I have the original instructions for the faucet and followed them to a "T".

Except one thing.

I put the spring in backwards on both sides and now it's stuck. I mean really stuck. I tried needle nose pliers, a large screw, anything with friction to pull the upside-down spring out and it's in there. Good.

Can this spring being upside down cause the water to always run? I can't see how, since he water flow seems to be regulated by two holes in the stem, one in the bottom and one in the side. I put it together with it in the closed position and water still flows, normal speed. I can affect the pressure a little by turning the handle, but not much.

Suggestions on getting the spring out? I can always put the old ones back in if I destroy the new ones. I tried a small screwdriver, too. There just isn't a big enough lip on the spring to catch.

HHEEEEEELLLLLPLPPPPP. Or do I have to call a plumber? I think I do.

Thanks.

 

At least that is one sure fire solution, and will please her at the same time.

Sorry I can't offer useful advice on the Peerless.

 

inward causing the spring to wind itsef tighter, releasing it's grip on the housing wall.
And,
The spring can cause the water flow to continue by not allowing the element to seat correctly with the cartridge. You would be suprised how little the gap needs to be to allow flow.
Beyond that, it may be cheaper to buy another faucet than to call a plumber on a Sunday night.
Hope this helps,
Brian

 

Thanks, I am going to try that now. - I

 

But I was able to recover thanks to Brian's technical expertise and Craig's humor (she actually got excited about picking a new faucet for a moment there.)

I was actually pulling on the lip where the spring rests and not an actual spring. The spring, since being inserted narrow side down, had been sucked or pushed down below.

With my favorite tool, a bent coathanger, I was able to recover the loose spring from the cold side. It did not survive the recovery attempt. I cannot seem to find the hot spring (ba dum bum!) but it's not going to affect psi that much.

I put it all back together with new stems and new seats and old springs. It now works like a faucet should. Except that hot. Still. Drips.

Wasn't there an old Twilight Zone about a dripping faucet that could not be fixed, driving the noble homeowner mad?

I will get some new springs and see if that stops the leak. Otherwise, I have not on iota of an idea what to do except call the good folks at Peerless/Delta and get some certified OEM parts. (the ones I bought today are aftermarket, so yes my sink is modded.)

I can hear the sink working now.

Thanks again you two.