[segal]

Recently, I noticed that the water flow out of my shower head pulsates for about 15 seconds or so before a normal steady stream of water is observed. It doesn't do this all the time, but seems to be the majority of the time. It's a single handle pfister pfizer and the spuddering seems to be more pronounced the further to the hot side I move the handle. The first time it happened, I figured someone flushed a toilet or was running water somewhere, but this wasn't the case. Please advise on what might be the issue. Thank you in advance.

-Segal

 

[ddawg16]

Sounds like your valve is going bad. The valve behind that handle has and anti-scauld feature that works by balancing the pressure on both sides. It could be sticky.

Except for replacing it, I'm not sure what you can do to fix it. Hopefully some of the experts will be along shortly to chime in.

 

[jagans]

Please Please Please give us MORE INFORMATION!

WELL? CITY WATER? TYPE OF PIPING?

"My cars broke, fix it" Well, what is it doing? "Its Broke, fix it"

 

[segal]

Please Please Please give us MORE INFORMATION!

WELL? CITY WATER? TYPE OF PIPING?

"My cars broke, fix it" Well, what is it doing? "Its Broke, fix it"

Public water. Slab construction and the plumbing is PEX. And by the way, I described the problem, and didn't simply say, "it's broke." When you take your car into the shop, you usually just describe the condition you observe, not every possible environmental factor! This isn't an insult on you, but I feel like you reduced me to one of those people who does simply say, "it's broke" when I did nothing of the sort. I was looking for a response in the spirit of what ddawg16 suggested might be the issue. Perhaps your response will indeed be helpful after I answered your questions?

-Segal

 

[jagans]

Did you say whether this is the only fixture that pulsates?

The reason I asked city, well was I was thinking maybe your well pump was going but its not that, since you are on city water.

 

[joecaption]

One way to save a little money is if you can ID the make of the unit you can contact the manufacture directly and most will send you a whole new assembly for free.

 

[AllanJ]

Small amounts of gas (typically hydrogen) are produced in the water heater as the anode sacrifices itself (or the tank slowly corrodes after the anode has been used up). This gas eventually migrates up the pipes with the hot water and causes pulsation or spurting at the shower head or faucet.

A magnesium anode retards corrosion of the tank itself better than an aluminum anode. I do not suggest replacing a magnesium anode with aluminum for the purpose of reducing gas production and pulsation or spurting. While hydrogen is flammable, the quantity produced is too small to be a hazard.