I've got a leak in my tub faucet because of the hot water side - the spindle needs to be replaced on the hot water handle. It simply cannot be shut off all the way. A plumber who looked at it said it would involve opening the wall (taking off the tile, etc.) and cutting out the old and welding in a new one. It is totally worn out and out of play, if that's the way to describe it. We rent. Our landlord has been great regarding maintenance. They've owned this house since the 1960's, so even with the currently deflated real estate market, they stand no chance of coming up short if provoked to sell. We don't want to provoke them, as they've already recently put a lot into this place. So is there some other thing I can personally do to stop this leak? Should I attempt to shut the outflow valve (if that's possible) from the hot water heater so that the only amount that can leak overnight is whatever was already in the pipeline to the bathroom? Thanks, Be

I've got a leak in my tub faucet because of the hot water side - the spindle needs to be replaced on the hot water handle. It simply cannot be shut off all the way. A plumber who looked at it said it would involve opening the wall (taking off the tile, etc.) and cutting out the old and welding in a new one. It is totally worn out and out of play, if that's the way to describe it. We rent. Our landlord has been great regarding maintenance. They've owned this house since the 1960's, so even with the currently deflated real estate market, they stand no chance of coming up short if provoked to sell. We don't want to provoke them, as they've already recently put a lot into this place. So is there some other thing I can personally do to stop this leak? Should I attempt to shut the outflow valve (if that's possible) from the hot water heater so that the only amount that can leak overnight is whatever was already in the pipeline to the bathroom? Thanks, Be