It sounds to me like you have an ordiary over the rim filler H&C. You took off handle and excusions now you are seeing the packing nuts. Turn off the water and open the valves and take out the stems and look inside for some solder are some other dirt. If you lived there only 8 months then you should have 4 Months left on your one yr. warranty, check it out, call your realestate salesman. Let me know.