I had a small leak in my tub Delta faucet. I looked up videos online and replacing the cartridge seemed like a simple task. I bought the replacement for $39.99 at the big hardware store. Easy savings.Removing the handle and the molding cover was simple. I ran into some difficulty removing the brass bonnet that holds the valve cartridge into the slot.Here is a picture from the web that looks exactly like mine: http://ift.tt/2oXXCil of the videos I watched warned that this was a potential trouble area. After years the nut had locked into place from either corrosion or mineral deposits. I tried a little too hard with the pipe wrench. I thought I was being careful, and got the piece off and the old cartridge out after using some car battery cleaner to loosen the deposits. My inexperience and lack of knowledge about plumbing did not inform me that the copper behind the wall was easily bent or twisted. This was my fatal error.I replaced the cartridge and hooked everything back up not knowing I screwed up. When I turned on the water I immediately heard it running upstairs. I was immediately worried. I ran upstairs and could hear water behind the wall and in between the walls from the first floor. Horrified, I shut off everything and called a plumber.He arrived in a few hours and isolated and shut off the water to the tub so we have water in the house. He didn't have the part to finish the repair. He quoted me on replacing the seating for the cartridge at $529. Plus the service call I cost myself $750. This doesn't include repairing the drywall in the bathroom closet, which I'll have to do.Luckily there wasn't much water behind the wall. We looked with a flashlight. There was a small wet spot on the wood floor, but it was mostly dry. There was a small wet spot the size of a quarter on the ceiling in a closet downstairs, but he said it was nothing to worry about.Be careful out there. I'm posting so that someone else doesn't make the same mistake. via /r/DIY http://ift.tt/2p8r4yI
