A Leak in a Danze Opulence Pot Filler

Valve Type

• The Danze Opulence Pot Filler faucet has two water-control handles, both of which control ceramic-disk water-control valves. As you turn the faucet’s handles, the handles turn a large cylinder that sits under the handles. As the cylinder changes its height inside the faucet, the distance between the cylinder and the neoprene seals either increases or decreases. More distance between the cylinder and the seals means an increase in water flow, while a decrease in distance means a decrease in water flow.

Valve Failure

• The valves in the Opulence Pot filler may fail when either the seals wear out, the valve cylinder has worn out or both. Valve failure manifests itself either as water dripping out of the faucet’s spout uncontrollably or water coming out around the water-control handles on the faucet assembly. If the water leaks out of the faucet’s spout, the valve responsible for the leak is the one that sits directly over the spout. Once the faucet’s valves begin failing, the water leak will only increase in severity until you repair the faucet.

Valve Disassembly

• As with any other sink faucet, you must cut off the flow of water to the Danze Opulence Pot Filler before repairing the leaking valves. You may close the water-supply valves under the sink by turning their handles clockwise until they stop. If you turn the faucet on and still find water flows out of it, close the house’s main water valve. Each of the water-control handles has a small screw on the side that holds the handles in place, which you must remove before you can take off the handle. Once you've removed the handle, turn the metal dome counterclockwise with a pair of pliers that have duct tape wrapped around the jaws. With the metal dome removed, you can then back out the screws holding the cylinder in place and then remove the neoprene seals with a pair of tweezers.

Valve Repair

• With the seals removed, clean the openings in the cylinder with vinegar and a scrubber to remove mineral deposits. If the neoprene seals are brittle or cracking, install replacements before putting the faucet back together. Once you replace the Opulence Pot Filler’s water-control handle and the screw that holds it in place, move the handle to the open position. When you restore the water to the faucet, do so slowly, since a sudden rush of water through the faucet can crack the ceramic disk.