Is there a plumbinghelp.com? Old faucet questions.

Luke Lefever_3

more pics.

Luke Lefever_3

OT Need help tracking down options for very old tub filler.

Good morning fellow wetheads. I know this isn't REALLY the forum for this- but I figure a lot of you are plumbers in addition to heating men. We have a customer with a VERY old American Standard tub filler. It is worn pretty badly internally. Someone, prior to us, tried to cut new seats into it and there isn't much left for the faucet washer to seal against. The customer would like to keep the style of the bathroom. Is anyone aware of a faucet that would be somewhat similar, or adaptable, or what can you think of creatively that we could offer to her.

We've thought about taking the valve into a weld shop and having the seat area built up with brazing, then tapping it for a new faucet seat. That would probably mean that it would need to be re-plated. We've thought of trying to machine out the internals and somehow getting modern internals into it. We've looked at Strom, Sign of the Crab and Restoration Hardware to see if they have anything similar. No dice. Any input would be awesome.

Thanks,

Luke Lefever
Lefever Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Elkhart, IN

Unknown

unless...

Unless that tub filler have prv on supplies, those valves and filler are illegal by all plumbing codes.

MikeyB

parts

Luke, check this site www.alfanoplumbingparts.com, This a supply house in Queens N.Y, this was the place to go when we needed old parts, hope this helps

nicholas bonham-carter

american standard

what a pretty old tub faucet, although probably non-code complying in rsgard to the placement of the spout. does it have removable valve seats, which someone could adapt from some other model?

alternatively, a listing could be placed on e-bay with a very high reserve, and identified as "looking for this", instead of "for sale"--nbc

Unknown

Seen that type before,

but the filler was actually "down-in" on the side of the tub with a little chrome cap similar to an overflow cover.
As you know, they take really large washers.
I would think a talented machinist could create another tapping inside for a more common seat without damaging the plating any farther, unless the integral portions have been cut away.

Dave

Luke Lefever_3

I like that idea- except that someone has removed most of the "meat" of the casting- leaving very little to attach to. You're right, the faucet washers are enormous, like larger than a US Quarter.

Luke Lefever_3

Mikey- thanks for the link- I'll check with them.

bob young

new york replacement parts

"New York Replacement Parts" probably has them in stock. if not

Phone:
(845) 473-6700
Toll Free:
1-866-473-6711
Fax:
(845) 473-6768


NYRP A Complete Plumbing and Heating Supply Company


they will make them for you. lexington ave nyc

nicholas bonham-carter

tub taps

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/traditional-bathroom-taps-1993-0000

http://www.tapshop.net/

maybe something here--nbc

Glen_7

Luke,

I have the exact hardware in one of my bathrooms. If your successful findng parts, let me know. Thanks.

Alan(OnVacationInOregon)Forbes

There's was a guy

in my area, the go-to guy for old faucets and fixtures. What he didn't have in his garage, he could re-build; don't know if he's still around:

Tucker Seymour (510)236-1682

Tell him I sent you.

JJ_4

I'm not a plumber so I have a question..

No idea why this double posted....see below.

JJ_4

I'm not a plumber so I have a question..

What do you mean by a "prv on supplies"? I thought a prv was a pressure regulating valve. Also, in laymans terms, why is this illegal? Does it have something to do with contamination from the tub water back into the spout is possible if the spout is in the tub? Thanks

Unknown

Yes, it does

the spout MUST BE ABOVE the flood level rim of the fixture OR the faucets must be fitted with some kind of vacuum breaker/backflow device on the supply piping.
Pull-out spouts on kitchen taps all have these built-in, also outside spigots(for the garden hose) too,, many do not though.

Dave

JJ_4

Maybe something like this....

Thanks Dave.

Maybe they could replace with something new that would meet the code from this site:

http://www.kitchen-bath-plus.com/index.php/cPath/60

These put the spout out of the tub and have a similar look especially if the shower wand could be left off. Also, maybe the old spout hole could be used for an overflow connection.

Luke Lefever_3

Alan- Tucker is still around- I just talked to him on the phone. He's had a stroke and his speech is a little slow, but he gave me some great advice. He claims to be "out of the business" then proceeded to tell me exactly how he'd fix it if it were his.

Thanks for the suggestion.

At this point, I'v sent email pics to New York Replacement Parts as well as Alfano Supply. If they can't help, then we'll pursue Tuckers idea.

Thanks, Luke

Erich_3

Locke Plumbing

Luke, I get all my old American Standard toilet parts from Locke Plumbing. They have the original high quality parts. They also have faucet parts. Great people to deal with.
Locke Plumbing Supply
754 North Broadway
Knoxville, TN 37917
Monday thru Friday 9:00a.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST
CLOSED SATURDAY'S AND SUNDAY'S
Phone (865) 525-9318

Here is the link to their site:

http://www.lockeplumbing.com/

Charlie from wmass

These guys have some nice looking to code faucets that may work for you. I never seem to get a thanks for repairing old faucets like those as once I touch them people think they are good for ever, often so much of the workings are worn the new parts are short lived or some other part fails. LIke they leak from the fill because now the faucet shuts off so the gasket gets to dry out over night. http://www.signaturehardware.com/class1332

Jim Bennett

Two more......

possibilities.

http://www.crogan.com/index.htm

http://www.hardtofindplumbingparts.com/find_a_part.asp