I am trying to fix a leaking hot water stem in my bathroom. I have been able to remove the handle and the escutcheon only to find out that the stem is caked up with what appears to be oakum and plumbers putty. Is this in any way, shape or form a standard practice?? Also, once I finally get all of this gunk out from around the stem to see if I need to replace the washer only or the seat as well, will I need to replace the oakum and plumbers putty inside the wall?
I swore that oakum was mainly for the main waste pipe in the basement combined with lead to make a permanent seal.
I swore that oakum was mainly for the main waste pipe in the basement combined with lead to make a permanent seal.
