I have a tenant that has told me that when she turns on the cold water, cold water will spray out of the hot water valve handle area. I have not gone to see it yet, but I am assuming that it would probably be a washer somewhere. My question would be: which washer?

I want to try to arm myself with more knowledge before attacking it because it is in a 102 year old building (the fixture is about 2 years old) and believe it or not, I have to shut the water off for the ENTIRE building to open up the valves (I couldn't believe it, but this apartment does not have control valves to manage the water supply for only that kitchen or even only that apartment).

TIA for any help/insight you may offer.

Additional info: I found out that the water leaks from the hot water handle when the hot water is turned on, as well. Maybe that helps.

Open hot water valve, tighten bonnet nut slightly until water around stem stops.

Wow... so simple a solution! Thanks so much... worked like a charm.

You are not mentioning brand and type of the faucet it is - but as Harold said, it may be as easy solution as tightening bonnet nut 1/4 turn. I am enclosing couple of pic of bonnet nut. Good Luck and don't forget to let us know how you did ! Milo

Milo,

The brand name is "Premier"... installed by my local plumber about 2 years ago.

The packing nut was loose, so while I had the water shut off (again... to the whole building), I took both stems out and inspected them, only to find that the O-ring was broken and washer was pretty well shot on the hot water stem and the screw holding the washer on the cold water stem was so loose I could remove it with my fingers. So I replaced them all on both stems and reassembled them and now it works perfectly.

Thanks for your response... and especially the pictures. Those helped too.

Gary

Great... congratulations ! Now you know what to do next time ! Milo