General Tips For Antique Plumbing Fixtures

• When replacing faucet washers, bring the stem. Grease the interior threads of the faucet stem when replacing washers. This will give the faucet a longer life and improved operation.
• When replacing a handle, bring the stem.
• If the stem is worn out, bring the most intact one along for replacement. (This is also the case for above.)
• When a faucet leaks from the spout, that's an indication that the washer on the end of the stem needs replacement.
• When a faucet leaks around the handle, the stem packing needs replacement: bring the stem and the packing nut. If a fiber washer is used under the bonnet nut, it may also need replacing.
• Replacement screens for aerators are hard to find; soak the aerator in vinegar overnight, carefully rinse it the next day, and that may solve the problem. It is possible to find a complete replacement aerator, so bring the old aerator. If no aerator exists, bring the spout.
• To replace an adapter for a portable dishwasher connection, water filter system, or watering system, etc., bring the old aerator and connection.
• The old size of water supply lines for footed bath tubs is 9/16 in. It is a size that does not marry well with new plumbing. We recommend that you use the 1/2-in. supply lines made for footed tubs. Some of the old shut-off valves that no longer work are odd sizes by today's standards as well. The best thing to do is to replace them, even if it means going into the wall to reach standard 1/2 in. pipe.
• About newer shower heads: Some manufacturers make the shower arm with a ball joint end on it, and that makes replacement extremely difficult. At that point, you usually need to replace the shower arm with a traditional 1/2-in. male end shower arm. This will allow you a wide variety of shower heads to install. It is true that there are some adapters for the ball joint shower arms, but it has been our experience that they usually do not fit the shower arm that is being adapted to 1/2-in. male thread.
• In re-doing a bathroom, allow plenty of time to order and receive materials; four weeks fits most situations. For extensive jobs, check out the lead-time before lining up the plumber and doing demolition. Only after replacing or installing the major fixtures, painting, papering and accessory decisions should be made.