replacing a very old shower valve

[mholzap]

One of the valves on my shower has started leaking. I noticed that the washer was loose and pulled it out. When using that valve, hot water shoots out from the wall and into the shower. It's not a catastrophic problem, but it is annoying.

The house is very old (built in ~1930), but I'm not ready to invest in a full bathroom renovation. I'm worried about pulling out the valve and not being able to find a replacement part since it's old and presumably a non-standard size. What's the best way to fix it?

 

[Twowaxhack]

Looks like you’ve removed the packing.

Reinstall it and maybe order some graphite faucet packing to add to it. Then reinstall the packing nut. But that packing is in bad shape….

Or

You can turn all your water off and remove the stems so they can be identified so you can order replacements.

 

[mholzap]

Thanks. I packed the hole with graphite faucet packing (DANCO 3/32 in. x 24 in. Graphite Valve Stem Packing 80793 - The Home Depot) but it's still leaking. I wonder if it's not sealed enough? Should I get a nut to put over it to pack it in tighter?

 

[breplum]

There is supposed to be a packing nut, there must be a nut. Packing can’t work without a nut.