A valve seat is the threaded brass piece within the body of a faucet assembly that the faucet valve screws into. A single rubber washer, called a seat washer, is located just above the valve seat on the bottom of the faucet valve. Together, the seat washer and the valve seat stop the flow of water from entering the valve when the faucet is not in use. Delta manufactures a variety of different faucet designs but only uses valve seats for its compression-style faucets, which are used for sinks. A damaged valve seat must be replaced but doing so is fairly simple.
Instructions
1. Turn the water supply off at the appropriate shutoff valve underneath the sink. There are two shutoff valves in the middle of the two water supply lines. The valves are either elliptical or circular in shape. The shutoff valve on the right side is for cold water, while the valve on the left is for hot water. Thus, if the valve seat for the cold water leaks, only turn the cold water shutoff valve off. If the seat for the hot water leaks, turn only the hot water valve off. To turn the appropriate water supply valve off, turn the valve clockwise until the valve stops.
2. Remove the trim cap in the center of the faucet's handle by prying the cap off of the handle with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the screw in the center of the handle with a Phillips head screwdriver, then pull the handle straight up to remove it from the valve and to reveal the packing nut.
3. Remove the single packing nut at the top of the valve by twisting the nut counterclockwise with a wrench. Pull the faucet valve out of the sink to reveal the valve seat.
4. Remove the valve seat with a seat wrench. A seat wrench comes with a number of different fittings of varying sizes that attach to the end of the wrench. Select the fitting that fits tightly within the valve seat, then attach that fitting to the seat wrench. Insert the fitting into the valve seat, then tap on the end of the wrench until the fitting at the end of the wrench fits securely within the valve seat. Twist the wrench counterclockwise to unscrew and remove the valve seat.
5. Wrap the threads on the outside of the replacement valve seat with plumber's tape to prevent leaks. Slide the replacement valve seat onto the fitting at the end of the seat wrench, then insert the valve seat into the body of the faucet with the wrench. Turn the new valve seat clockwise until tight, then pull the wrench straight up to disconnect it from the valve seat.
6. Insert the faucet valve into the valve seat, then place the packing nut over the top of the faucet valve. Tighten the packing nut with a wrench to secure the faucet to the body.
7. Place the faucet's handle onto the top of the faucet, then insert and tighten the handle's single retaining screw with a Phillips screwdriver. Press the trim cap onto the top of the handle, then turn the water supply shutoff valve counterclockwise to complete the repair.
