Repair your shower the easy way
- Soak your faucet in vinegar to get rid of dirt and hard water residue.
- Spray the diverter knob with cooking spray to lubricate its sticky bits.
- Replace the shower diverter gate using a store-bought repair kit.
- Replace the whole spout with a newer model from the hardware store.
Full Answer
How do you fix a broken shower faucet?
Things You Will Need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flat screwdriver
- Hex wrench
- Small pen knife
- Replacement handle
- Handle puller
How do I Fix my Moen shower faucet?
If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer. An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later.
How do you remove a shower faucet?
- Since you do not want to scratch the aerator, wrap a cloth or tape around it before grabbing it and loosing it with a wrench.
- If you have a more modern faucet, you may have a cache aerator, which are inserted inside the spout. ...
- For a pull out kitchen faucet, pull the head out and clamp the hose to avoid having to fish it out later. ...
Can I use a shower head to replace my faucet?
The faucet head usually has a compression with a hex head screw from the underneath or pipe threaded on to the water supply. So the answer is yes it can be replaced without replacing the valve.
How do you fix a drippy shower faucet?
0:002:02How to Repair a Leaky Shower Faucet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow depending on where your leak is coming from on a shower valve typically it'll be dripping out ofMoreNow depending on where your leak is coming from on a shower valve typically it'll be dripping out of a shower head or from behind the handle. Either way you need to do the repair from the valve.
Can a shower valve be repaired?
Shower valves can get damaged, you have to get a replacement immediately to prevent water from leaking out completely. While this is a serious concern, you can fix it without seeking the help of a professional plumber. All you need is to pay attention to details and make sure nothing is left out.
How do you fix a shower faucet that won't turn?
0:444:52Shower Handle Hard to Turn? Replace the Cartridge! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're basically just going to turn the stem. And rotate it all the way to the off. PositionMoreAnd we're basically just going to turn the stem. And rotate it all the way to the off. Position turning it to the closed position don't over torque it.
How do you fix a shower diverter stem?
0:497:49How to repair replace 3 way Shower Faucet Diverter - FAST & EASY!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet the screw in a safe location. And we can pull the cap off now see how easy that was chances areMoreSet the screw in a safe location. And we can pull the cap off now see how easy that was chances are yours might not be that easy yours might be very rusted corroded and oxidized.
Do you have to replace valve when replacing shower faucet?
The first issue to look for is if there are any leaks in the valve when you turn on the water. If there are drips, that's a good indication that you should think about replacing the valve. Because, not only are you wasting water, but water that leaks behind the wall can cause rot as well as mold and mildew growth.
How do you take apart a shower valve?
2:0214:09How to Repair a Moen Shower/Tub valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe make sure that we have the correct posi temp cartridge the Moen 12:20 to be we make sure we haveMoreWe make sure that we have the correct posi temp cartridge the Moen 12:20 to be we make sure we have the allen wrench to pull off the handle and all that stuff. So that we pull this cartridge out.
Why won't the water turn on in my shower?
If your shower won't turn on or if you only get either hot or cold water, it likely means you have a broken valve. Faulty valves can also cause your shower handle to get stuck or make odd grinding sounds. If the valve breaks and the broken part blocks its opening, you'll have low water flow or pressure.
How do I free a stuck shower valve?
0:002:55How to remove stuck shower faucet mixing valve cartridge ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I did here. These are the two little tabs. The tab sits right about there. And it sits inMoreWhat I did here. These are the two little tabs. The tab sits right about there. And it sits in between there. I don't have a puller I couldn't get it off so I just took a screwdriver popped.
Why is water not coming out of the shower?
Water not coming out of a shower head properly can mean that there's a clogged shower head, a problem with the shower head attachment to the shower arm, valves are shut off to the main water supply, or a more serious issue with the pipes in a home.
How do you replace a shower diverter cartridge?
0:499:29How to Replace a Shower Cartridge | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold the handle. Turn counterclockwise okay now there's a cover plate right here with two additionalMoreHold the handle. Turn counterclockwise okay now there's a cover plate right here with two additional screws. And once we loosen. Those the plate should come. Off.
What type of shower stem do I have?
Count the Number of Shower Faucet Handles Often, the type of shower faucet and handle(s) will indicate what kind of shower valve is behind it. Zero handles may imply a shower panel faucet with buttons to control water flow and temperature.
How do you fix a faulty diverter valve?
Repairing the Shower DiverterShut off the supply of water to your shower.Seal your drain with tape so that small screws or other vital parts are not lost down the drainpipe.Tighten the screws behind the faceplate of the diverter valve. ... Disassemble the shower diverter. ... Change the diverter.More items...•
Where is the water valve in a shower?
Your water valve controls the flow of water to your shower. It may be located in your bathroom or your basement. In some cases, it's behind a panel near your shower. Once you locate the valve, turn the knob clockwise to turn off the water.
What is the sleeve on a shower valve called?
Use your hands to carefully remove this sleeve, then set it aside for later. This sleeve is called an escutcheon.
How much does it cost to replace a single handle faucet?
Replacement is the easiest way to fix cartridge-related problems. Time: 15 minutes to 1 hour. Cost: $20 to $100.
Why does my shower drip after turning off the water?
It’s normal for your shower to drip for a few minutes after the water is turned off. But a steady flow may indicate a leak. Replacing your faulty hardware is a common fix, but leaks can also be stopped by repairing your valve or stem. Here’s a quick rundown of simple repairs.
How to remove a cartridge from a valve?
Remove the cartridge by gently pulling with pliers. Some manufacturers provide a cap that threads onto the valve to aid in removal. You may have to buy a cartridge removal tool if it’s stuck. Take the old cartridge to the hardware store to ensure you get the right replacement.
What is a stem on a faucet?
Common in two-handle faucets, stems are mechanisms that use threaded handles and rubber seals to open and close water lines. Installing a new stem is the easiest way to fix a malfunction, but you can an also replace faulty hardware like seals and O-rings.
Does hard water affect showers?
Hard water will leave behind a residue that can affect the looks and usability of your fixtures. Over time, this mineral buildup will accumulate in your valves and showerhead and make replacement a must. Ignoring mineral residue will impact your water flow and turn a relaxing shower into a frustrating chore.
Can you upgrade a bathroom faucet?
Sometimes a simple faucet and handle upgrade is all that’s needed to give your bathroom a quick facelift. You might be doing this for a sale, or you may just be tired of looking at the same style. Regardless, the outdated hardwear can ruin the charm of your bathroom — even after a total remodel.
Can a faulty seat seal be repaired?
The majority of problems stem from a faulty valve or component. Bad O-rings and faulty seats and seals are repairable issues. In most cases, replacing the damaged hardware is the best way to improve the issue, but gently soaking and scrubbing cartridges or stems can remove buildup and improve its sealing capabilities.
How long does it take to repair a shower faucet?
Repair a shower faucet that won't shut off. Most single-handle, cartridge-style faucets can be repaired in an hour or less with basic tools.
How to get a hex screw out of a faucet?
Turn the hex screw by hand until it bottoms out. Snug up the hex nut by hand and tug on the cartridge puller handle. If the cartridge won't pull out, hold the puller handle steady and tighten the hex nut two full turns. Pull the cartridge out of the faucet body.
How to loosen a stuck cartridge?
Unscrew the hex screw and hex nut until threads are visible. Slide the puller over the cartridge stem, aligning the tool ears with the cartridge notches, and twist to loosen.
How to pull out a cartridge?
Cartridges are often difficult to pull out. Some manufacturers include a removal cap with new cartridges. Align the cap with the old cartridge ears and try to twist the cartridge loose. Then pull it out with pliers. If you can't budge the old cartridge, you'll need a cartridge puller.
How to stop a handheld shower from leaking?
When you want to stop your handheld showerhead from leaking, you need to clean the inner parts of your diverter gate. Step 1: Turn off your water supply from the main spigot. This prevents flooding.
What does a shower valve do when it is not working?
If your bathtub has a showerhead, your shower valve redirects water from the showerhead to the tub faucet. When it’s not working, water simultane ously pours from both outlets. It’s easy to fix, so let’s learn how. Shower valves have two parts:
How to tell if a shower diverter is a two valve or three valve?
When you remove a tee-valve from the wall, you find a single copper pipe. With two-valves and three-valves, you’ll find the corresponding number of copper pipes . If your shower diverter is a two-valve, focus on the temperature dial. This is because it often doubles as a shower diverter gate.
What to do if your diverter gate is stubborn?
If your diverter gate stays stubborn after your vinegar soak, try using a lubricant to make it work better. Any cooking spray will do, and you probably have some in the kitchen.
How to clean a spout with vinegar?
If you like, you can mix the vinegar with water. Step 3: Wrap the plastic bag around your spout, submerging the spout. Step 4: Hold the bag in place using a rubber band, string, or shoe-lace. Step 5: Leave the faucet submerged for three or four days, checking it once a day.
Why does my diverter gate keep squeaking?
Option 1 – Clean your spout. Sometimes, the diverter gate gets stuck. When you try to turn it or pull it up, it refuses to budge or makes squeaky, grating noises. If you do manage to pull it up, it may stick at the top and refuse to push back down. This is probably due to accumulated dirt, grease, and limescale.
