NDR: Any Plumbers on the Site?

Carl

Carl

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o we have a really weird valve set in our small bathroom.
At first glance it looks like a normal two-knob tub fill/shower controller, with two knobs and faucet with shower diverter pull-thing.
BUT:
The knob on the left is the on/off valve.
The knob on the right is the mixing valve.

The amount of water pressure has gradually dropped to the point the kids cant really take a shower anymore.
I pulled the knobs off to see if I could pull the valve assemblies to flush them but once again, its not like normal valves, there doesnt seen to be away to remove the valve stems.
Top is how it "normally" looks,
Next on is the on/off valve stem
Next two is the mixing valve stem and valve.
Any thoughts on how to pull these stems to flush the system?
Help!!!



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Not a plumber but do know payday was Friday and which way ..... runs. Are they the cartridge type valves that whole cartridge has to be replaced. Believe moen used these quite often.
 
Can't help much Carl. While I have played with simple homeowner plumbing jobs, the only time I messed around with shower valves I forgot to turn off the water and shot the valve assemble clear across the tub. In the process I lost a part of the valve that was a necessary component to keep it from leaking. Two trips to the hardware store later and I had it fixed - so I was moderately successful.

BTW: In any homeowner plumbing repair or installation if I get buy with the less than 3-4 trips to the hardware store I consider it a success and if I can fix it in ONE trip - it's time to celebrate[cool]
 
roy brewington said:
Not a plumber but do know payday was Friday and which way ..... runs. Are they the cartridge type valves that whole cartridge has to be replaced. Believe moen used these quite often.
Click to expand...
Carl,
I'm not a plumber either but I thought the same thing when I saw the chrome ring near the base of the valve. I believe you need to reach in with a phillips screwdriver. Taking those screws loose will allow you to remove the cartridge and retaining ring. Depending on age of the faucets, hope the cartridge you need is still available.

PS. It appears that you have all kinds of working room to accomplish this task. [frown]
 
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I'll second Gary's suggestion. We have well water here, and every few years I have to take off the shower head and clean some kind of mineral deposit out of the fine screen inside the head. I don't think it is particulate sediment in the water; we have a pretty good filter. But there seems to be some kind of dissolved mineral that becomes deposited in the screen. Clean it out, and we're good for a few more years. Certainly worth checking.
 
I'm not a plumber either, but as a tile guy I'm concerned that I can't see any waterproofing behind your tile. Could be that they used felt or vapor barrier behind the cement board, but it should have either that or a surface applied membrane over the cement board under the thinset. Not meaning to give you another thing to worry about but it caught my eye.
 
Thanks guys, I am thinking its a Moen as well.
Not much room to work is right!

I did soak the head in vinegar and remove the flow restrictor, got better flow but still not what it should be.

Might have to call in a plumber on this one.
 
Cant remember ever getting something done in one trip to the hardware store!
 
It there a way you can access it from the back side? Inside a closet or bedroom? That way you can swap it out into a new conventional shower body and not mess with the tile.
 
Yes, but that would mean pulling the back off a kitchen cabinet & maybe taking a dishwasher out!
 
Carl said:
Yes, but that would mean pulling the back off a kitchen cabinet & maybe taking a dishwasher out!
Click to expand...

picky,,,,,picky,,,,,,picky It does look like you may be able to nibble a bit more tile away and still be able to stay inside the perimeter of the cover plates.
 
That might be an option.
Actually got the diagrams from Delta today, great customer service so far.
One problem might be that the temp limiter is set too low, not allowing enough hot water into the valve.
 
Carl,

Any big supply house should stock or can order a large chrome plate that will span both your hot and cold knobs. This plate will allow you to remove all that old plumbing and install a new shower valve. You can purchase a new valve kit at any big box store. If you are using a tub shower with a tub spout do not use pex piping. Good luck.
 
Yeah, I was thinking I might have to go that route.
Luckily, I am pretty good with a torch & solder, its all copper in the old walls.
 
Carl,

I didn't read this anywhere in this thread, (I certainly could've missed it...), but the two small brass screws are actually the water shut-offs to the mixing valve for just this scenario.

It sure looks like a Delta to me...

Good luck!

Jon
 
Thanks! Even the instructions I got from Delta didn't indicate that!!
 
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