PScooter63
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Hi folks. I am a weekend warrior-type plumber, and have done all kind of minor tasks successfully, mostly toilet installs/repairs, and faucet hookup stuff. But the current job I have has got me really bumfuzzled.
First of all, the kitchen faucet in question is a Kohler Revival (spread two handle w/sidespray). It was installed several years ago by a big-box-subcontractor into a drop-in fiberglass sink (I was feeling lazy that year ).
When we began remodeling our kitchen this year (granite countertop, undermount sink), we decided we liked the old faucet well enough to reuse it. When I began uninstalling it from the old sink, I discovered the subcontractor had literally drowned every connection in plumber's putty and pipe dope (even the connections with o-rings!). No matter, I thought, I'll just be extra vigilant in cleaning it all away (and I was, knowing that it would otherwise leach into the granite).
I also had to add a deep rough-in kit to accommodate the granite thickness. I called myself following all the instructions carefully, but at the end of the day, when I fired up the cold water supply and opened the faucet valve, all the water came out underneath the sink. Absolutely none of it came through the spout.
This screams "diverter" to me, but the valves also don't work as smoothly as they did before. And then there's those doped o-rings (that I removed, cleaned, and wiped with WD-40 before putting them back). I'm just not sure what to do next. Has anyone else experienced this? Shall I just admit defeat and call a pro this time?
Thanks for any suggestions!
First of all, the kitchen faucet in question is a Kohler Revival (spread two handle w/sidespray). It was installed several years ago by a big-box-subcontractor into a drop-in fiberglass sink (I was feeling lazy that year ).
When we began remodeling our kitchen this year (granite countertop, undermount sink), we decided we liked the old faucet well enough to reuse it. When I began uninstalling it from the old sink, I discovered the subcontractor had literally drowned every connection in plumber's putty and pipe dope (even the connections with o-rings!). No matter, I thought, I'll just be extra vigilant in cleaning it all away (and I was, knowing that it would otherwise leach into the granite).
I also had to add a deep rough-in kit to accommodate the granite thickness. I called myself following all the instructions carefully, but at the end of the day, when I fired up the cold water supply and opened the faucet valve, all the water came out underneath the sink. Absolutely none of it came through the spout.
This screams "diverter" to me, but the valves also don't work as smoothly as they did before. And then there's those doped o-rings (that I removed, cleaned, and wiped with WD-40 before putting them back). I'm just not sure what to do next. Has anyone else experienced this? Shall I just admit defeat and call a pro this time?
Thanks for any suggestions!