Help - this is really aggravating,
I have an old Sterling two handle shower faucet with a standard washer/valve-seat arrangement(compression faucet I believe its called, not a cartridge type). The washer on the HOT faucet only lasts about 3-4 months before it drips.
I always replace both the seat and the washer. I have also replaced the whole stem assembly as well as putting in a new washer and seat at the same time. What is causing the leak after such a short period of time? Everything works fine right after the washer and seat on the hot side are replaced, so I know that water is not leaking past the washer due to the seat not being in correctly, etc. Its just that after a few months of use I can feel that more force is needed to shut off the hot water and by about 4 months no matter how hard you tighten the handle (without really torquing it to the point it might bteak off!) the hot water side still drips. Cold side washers will last about 3 years.
Someone had suggested that the water may be too hot but for over 15 years that I have been in the house I was replacing the washer only about once every five years. The water temp is the same as back then, and in any case it was never really scalding hot since its from a tankless coil arrangement on a oil furnace. Also the seat does not appear to have any nicks in it so I don't think that I am damaging the seats when I install them.
What am I doing wrong? Is there anything else I can try short of ripping it out of the wall and getting a new unit? There is no access from the back, I would have to break up the tile. Seems silly to have to do this for a lousy washer.
Thanks, Tony G.