Leak under cold water handle

Bmulli

I am currently doing a plumbing repairs found during our home inspection. I have a leak under our jetted tub. It is coming from under the cold water faucet and running down the copper pipe. It only drips when the faucet is on. What was confusing or new to me is that there are 2 copper pipes going to the one cold faucet and 2 to the hot. The 2 cold water pipes are coupled together in a bracket of some sort. There are 2 because we have a hand held spray attachment.

I did not remove anything yet. What can I expect as probable cause?

Thanks in advance

joecaption

Got to figure out where it's leaking first.
Cold soldered joint, loose packing nut under the handle, ECT>

Bmulli

Here's picture.
/Users/bmullinc/Desktop/7-2012 Leak .jpg

Bmulli

Sorry didn't work. JPG too large.

Alan

So you have a handheld spray, which in turn means you should have a total of 5 holes in your tub deck.....

spout, hot valve, cold valve, diverter valve, spray hose.



Does it leak when you run the tub spout or when you run the handheld?

Most likely cause for leaks I would say are the handheld spray connections, or any braided supply connections underneath that were bent too tightly and kinked. Usually those are between the valves and the diverters, but it depends on what brand you buy. Some come with nothing, and you have to make the entire assembly out of copper or whatever else you have in the rest of the house.

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Bmulli

Alan: Yes 5 holes and one of the 2 copper pipes for leading to hot and cold are braided or twisted and then lead directly to the sprayer. I suspect that because the water was running directly down the regular or unbraided pipe that means it might the unbraided connection.

The major issue I am facing is I have relocated to Houston Texas and the leak is in our home in NC! I received the home inspection photos via email and I have not been there in person to evaluate. My neighbor took better photos for me that clearly show the leak. I am trying to evaluate whether I need to call a plumber to fix it or if I can do it myself when I arrive in NC to prepare for closing.

He did not run the water from the handheld sprayer though.

I was wondering what it looks like under the faucet handle when you remove the handle? I am use to single connections under each. Can anyone reference photos or video?

Alan

Each brand has their own way of the plumbing connections below. This is an example of a delta roman tub rough in valve.


Hope this will help.

http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...49490306xl.jpg

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Bmulli

Yeah that definitely help, thanks buddy. Thats exactly what it looks like. I am hoping that there are washers in there that are easily replaced? I hope thats all it is. Regarding the picture, how does the faucet fitting attach to the copper pipes?

This has been very helpful! Thanks again

Alan

As far as the washers, some are cartridges but that depends on the brand.


The faucet fitting is attached to the copper pipes by soldering.

You won't have to remove the entire assembly though. You only need to remove the trim to replace the parts.

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Journeyman Plumber