My tub deck faucet (two handle - cartridge type) is leaking. I can get the cold handle off, but after alternately turning off the water to hot and co ld, it seems like it's the hot one that has the problem. Naturally, that's the one that has a stripped set-screw (inset, hex slot).
Is there anything to try to get this thing off short of drilling it out? I f these cases are generally hopeless, I'll just cut to the chase and take t he necessary measures, but if there's any likely alternative, it would be p referable than having to get a new handle (I'd probably need to get two if I want matching handles, because this type is no longer made - it was disco ntinued when I bought it about 10 years ago.
If I had stripped the thing while trying to loosen it, I'd probably give up right away, but it was already stripped, so, I'm guessing it got stripped when being tightened. I swear that was done by the plumber who installed i t and not me. Well, maybe it was me, but if so, I have conveniently erased that memory. In any case, this means I haven't really been able to apply a ny torque to the thing at all. it's possible (though probably not likely) that with a little bit of torque, it could loosen up and then I could just get a new set screw instead of two new handles. These are pretty fancy, so near-matching replacements would probably cost a pretty penny. I don't th ink the wife would go for the small vice-grips-as-relpacement solution.
I thought of putting some super-glue on the end of an allen wrench, stickin g it in there, letting it dry and then giving it a go. But if there are an y better ideas, It might be prudent to try something else first.
Thanks for any suggestions.
-J