kohler mixing valve

[curchin]

Four years after constructing new home we received call from customer about leak in 2nd story master bath showing up on ceiling below.We found the source to be the ming valve, we pulled it apart and discovered the o ring seal was pushed out and flattened in a small area, causing the leak. My plumber states he always installs them as a unit, and its a faulty valve from the factory. It appears to have been leaking quite awhile because there is a mold problem. It looks like it going to be a very large and costly project that they will claim is on us. I'd appreciate any feed back!!!!!

[johnjh2o]

What type piping was use to connect to the valve? If it was copper and require soldering to the valve then the common practices is to disassemble valve before soldering. If it didn't require soldering then there would be no reason to disassemble it. They come assembled from the Kohler. Who supplied the valve? If the plumber supplied it the problem would be his.

John

[curchin]

Thank you john,

Piping copper and soldered, plumber says he just raps the valve body with wet rag and that protests the valve while soldering

[johnjh2o]

That's not a very good practice. Some day it will catch up to him. It doesn't take much to remove the cartridge, that way you are assured the heat won't do any damage to it.

John