I have a bathroom from about 1960 with A-S shower controls. It's 2 valves plus a diverter with top-hat style washers.

The top hats are a different style than I can find to replace them. They have an internal disk backing the face and a narrow washer on the front and back of the rim. The rim has grooves to hold these washers.

The replacements that I have found fit, but don't have the disk or washers, or the grooves to hold them. Can I use the new style (I can put the old disks in the new top hats, but not the rim washers)? If not, where can I find the old style?

Another thought: is this a case of "Nu-seal" vs. "Aqua seal"?

Thanks,
Bob



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bob, what you have are the old style american standard 'aquaseal' stems etc.
they do make a replacement stem that takes a regular washer and 'O' ring.
you have to be careful replacing the aquaseal type stem because if it diesn't go back together exacly right, it won't work
i would just go to a plumbing supply house and purchase the replacements. they work fine and are a lot less fussy to get right. they do come in a couple of different lengths so bring the old one with you.

Packy - Thank you. I'm sure that it was the original washer & I'm glad that there is such an easy fix for a 50 year old fixture. Bob



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when you install the new stem, install it in the open position and tighten the nut that secures it really well. then turn on the water and finally turn the new stem to the closed position. if you have those funny round shaped handles, both hot and cold close the same direction. clockwise.
rule of thumb.. lever handles oppose eachother while round handles turn the same way to open/close.

Those compression stems are the ones that the Aqauseal stem replaced. They are NOT a "new version".

that's funny, i thought the egg came before the chicken..

Once upon a time there existed a creature which was not quite a chicken.

It produced a mutated egg.

Voila: a chicken.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Compression stems with a washer have been around since faucets were created, but Aquaseals are fairly new and were developed as a direct replacement for their compressions stems. But since they are interchnageable, you can use whichever one you desire. The Aquaseals, however, because the have a barrier between the top and bottom will NOT develop leaks from the handle area.



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