I don’t know a lot about older style tub/shower faucets, so I have a question here.
HO has a shower/tub faucet that is an obious older style, 70’s? It has 3 handles. The center handle turns to switch between tub water and shower.
HO is complaining that when they turn on the shower using the handle that even though there is good water pressure coming out of the shower head, they’re seeing a lot of water still coming out of the tub spout. HO feels it is a waste of water and asked me to fix it.
My question is how are these units assembled? That is, I”m sure I”m to pull out the valve stem/body of the middle handle. But then what? What goes bad in these handles to cause this problem? Just a washer, an adjustment?
Thanks
Replies
If it's like the kind I used to have (Price Pfister), washer. Basically just like a stop valve IIRC.
"A job well done is its own reward. Now would you prefer to make the final payment by cash, check or Master Card?"
How old is this setup. Might be a good idea to replace the whole stem assembly, instead of just the washer. You may want to check the seat as well.If this is a PP, the big boxes have most of the repair kits available in their plumbing sections, and a seat wrench doesn't cost much at all, and it's easy to use.
I've had a few of these requests, in particular cheap valves which I wouldn't have used to start with. I would replace it altogether, probably require retiling as well. Optionally, you could offer to take it apart, clean it with calcium remover (CLR or LimeAway) and attempt to find replacement rubber seals. But you're on the clock and no guarantees. If it's a cheapy, chances are the valve never did work properly and never will.
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I agree with the other posts. Its gonna be a mess - and you should talk the HO into replacing the stem and seats of all three valves. I had to
do this in our own home. The builder tiled-in the valves. I ended up pulling down 12' of drywall on the other side of the wall - I replaced all six valves in both bathrooms at the same time. Didn't take too long to replace the drywall...
In looking at exploded versions of the type of valves your are dealing with it appears that they most likely look just like a regular hot/cold control with a washer and a seat. I'm looking in the Home Depot Supply catalog. They sell rebuild kits ( all three controls) for $40 to $90.
They also have just the diverter stem for quite a few brands. They also have a website where you can view their catalog.
If you are going to get stuck for rebuild kits and wrenches for the job, I would tell the HO that it's a better deal to change the whole thing. A new Delta single handle with anti scald runs about $75 in NY (at plumbing supply).
The question is how hard is it to get it out?
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
If it is an older faucet set just replace the washer and seat. Sould be well under 5 bucks in parts and be good for another 30 years.
If you don't own a seat wrench they are pretty cheap also. Don't replace it from anything you will find in a 'big box'.
I re-built my shower faucet last year and it cost me over $250 for the parts alone. Never again, as I could have purchased a new faucet for about half the price and had everything new.
busta :0)
Get these calls all the time. 9 times out of 10 the replacement parts are either not available or are not readily available unless you are not on the clock and have time to search for them. In these cases I attempt to rebuild the existing ones and hope for the best.
Yesterday I replace the entire assembly with a new single handle which required removing tile and backer board, cutting the old one out and soldering in a new one.
Today I retiled and grouted and the new tile never matches the 20 year old tile, although it's very close. A fun job, I'm happy with how it came out and so is the customer.
Grunge on.
Main thing is to see what brand it is.
If it has an upside down teardrop lookin escution I bet it is a pricephister not the best but there not bad.
once you take the handle off there should be a long white plastic threaded tube , these have a tendency to brake when there old.
If you can get the whole assembly apart with out breaking it, rebuilding it will last a long time.
Do you look to the government for an entitlement, or to GOD for empowerment. BDW