Shower valve repair - fixed - Thanks!!

[Navy Jr.]

This is for you plumbing experts out there.

We bought our home new 34-years ago. The shower in the master bath has one of those valves you pull to turn on and rotate from side to side to control the temperature.

I used it this morning, turned it off, and while I was using a squeege to clean the water off the walls it turned back on. Hmmm. So I pushed it back in, and it pushed back out! The only way to stop the water from running was to turn off the main water valve downstairs!

Removed the handle, but couldn't see anything. I ended up taking a spare piece of PVC pipe I had on hand, cutting it to length, and wedging it between the valve and the opposite wall. Looks pretty funny, but it works in keeping the valve closed while still having water service to the rest of the house.

Anyway, can shower valves be easily changed out, or must one be good at using a torch to remove the old one, and good at soldering to install a new one? (I don't trust myself; might burn house down!). Or can this valve be saved?

I'll probably call a plumber next week (it's now Friday night), but if there's a remote chance I can fix it myself over the weekend, that would be sweet.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shower valve repair

Re: Shower valve repair

No plumbing expert here but..
Our house is about that old and Home depot had the parts to replace the valves on both our showers..
Does it have the screw off type round cover behind the handle?
Trying to picture what type you have....

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Shower valve repair

Re: Shower valve repair

Take as many easily removable pieces off it and head to Home depot or similar. Did that with mine a few years ago and they gave me a replacement for free as it had a lifetime warranty. Mine is a cartridge system though so may not apply to yours.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Shower valve repair

Re: Shower valve repair

Navy any chance of some pictures . I will agree with Kenny if it a cartridge type unit and most single handle units are you should be able to take the cartridge to Home depot and get a new one free ( if its a Delta or Moen ) .I are not a plumber but I played one at my last Job before I opened my HVAC company .


Rick

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Shower valve repair

Re: Shower valve repair

No doubt its a Delta or Moen it has worked great for 34 years as per usual.
As normal for this day and age Delta and Moen don't build their automixers as good as they use to so repairing this one is a great choice.
Take the cartridge out and go to any decent hardware store or Home Depot and they will have the parts you need, even a new plastic handle to make it look nice and new.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Shower valve repair - fixed - Thanks!!

Thanks so much for the replies. Yep, turns out it is a Moen. I turned off the main water valve downstairs, then took as much apart as I could before getting to sweated joints.

Problem turned out to be the metal sleeve that fits over the stem inside the handle had become deformed. It wouldn't allow the valve to close all the way, and water pressure inside the pipe would make it stand open. There are no replacement sleeves as such because the new handles they make these days have them built in. Found the right replacement handle at Home Depot. Easy fix. Works like a dream.

Thanks everyone!!