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lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 01:36 PM

I have a stand-up shower stall w/ a single handle. It does not have the name printed anywhere on it. It was installed 2 years ago in our basement. When I went behind the shower to look inside of a box I had stored behind the bathroom, I realized the boxes and floor were soaked. It has been leaking a long time because even the two-by-fours for the bathroom are rotting. The plumping is exposed so it's very easy to access. I discovered that the pressure balance spool assembly is leaking.

I have tried tightening it. I wrapped teflon tape around it. I relaced the O-ring. To no avail as it is still leaking. Does anyone have any suggestions? I no little about plumbing, and only know the name of this piece because I took it to a hardware store and they identified it for me.

Thanks in advance,
Lauralyn

Double A · 09-14-2006, 02:26 PM

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 02:42 PM

The first image is the spool that is leaking.

This image is from the inside of the shower stall. To the right of the handle, you can see the 5/8 in. nut that the top of the spool. This is where the water is leaking from.

This is the the plumbing from behind the shower stall. From this angle, however, you cannot see the spool. But the piece to the left is where the spool screws in on the front (previous picture).

Ron The Plumber · 09-14-2006, 03:21 PM

You need to indentify the brand, need to see the front where the handle connects to, please, I think if you replace the spool with a new one, it should solve hte problem.

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 03:35 PM

There is no brand identification information. Anywhere. The hardware store guy had me bring in the front plate and handle. He was surprised to see a square fitting for the handle. See inside of first pic

Outside of handle

Double A · 09-14-2006, 03:39 PM

Association pour l'Emploi dans l'Industrie et le Commerce - ASSEDIC.

Its a french made valve?

Hmm. OK, you need to try to get several orings close to the size you need. Just put them on one at a time and see if they leak.

My thinking is this valve may have been exposed to freezing temps and that casting might be stretched out of shape. Teflon tape on the threads will be mostly useless, as these don't appear to be tapered threads, thus, they do not seal.

That balancing spool looks a lot like the old Delta 1600 spools.

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 03:48 PM

Unfortunately, I have replaced the O-rings already.

The person we hired to install the shower did it for relatively little money. He used bargain basement materials. I don't believe this is French made, but who knows? Is it possible to replace this piece (looks a lot like a Delta piece at the hardware store. Perhaps a Delta knockoff? I met the plumber who did the job at Home Depot. My guess is that's where he gets his stuff? At any rate, I will see if I can get a replacement part. Will I have to relace the whole assemly (all of the pieces in the picture? Or just the spool?

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 03:53 PM

The third picture I posted has something stamped on the piece. It looks like it says GOBO 1016P. There is one more letter after the GOBO but there is solder gunk on it and so it can't be read.

Maybe someone is familiar?

Double A · 09-14-2006, 03:59 PM

Hard to say without seeing it up close and taking some measurements.

It might be a Danze.

Spool

Cartridge

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 04:04 PM

Boy that spool sure looks like the one I have. I am running to HD and will see what I can find. But otherwise, I will try ordering that one. Thanks!!!

Double A · 09-14-2006, 04:06 PM

Try some other orings. Different thicknesses and diameters.

Double A · 09-14-2006, 04:06 PM

Pull the cartridge and check it to see if its the same as well.

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 07:00 PM

I am going to a contractor's plumbing store tomorrow. It's really the only one in my immediate area. So they should have what I need. I will def. try some different size o-rings as well. I'll let you know what I find out.

lauralyn1 · 09-14-2006, 07:01 PM

How would I go about pulling the cartridge?

Double A · 09-16-2006, 01:08 AM

Pull that chrome sleeve off from inside the shower. Make sure the water is off. There is most likely a nut under that sleeve that retains the cartridge. Remove that nut and the cartridge will pull out.

NOTE: Mark the cartridge and the body of the faucet before you pull it out, in case it can go in two different ways. Cover the drain with a cloth in case some small parts come shooting out.

Good Luck.