[bjornbjorn]

I have a tenant with a leaky shower head, it leaks hot water. She has two knobs one for hot and one for cold. I replaced the O ring (rubber washer) in the hot but not the cold. Once I turned the water back on and turned the hot water knob on the shower back on, it did the exact same thing.

I also tried switching the shower head but thats not the problem, when I took the shower head off, water was coming out at a pretty good pace.

Whats next?

What should I do?

PLEASE HELP there's mold in the bathroom from all of the moisture.

 

[Lightfoot]

where exactly is the leak?

 

[oh'mike]

You should have taken a picture of the valve when you had it apart---

Tell us more about the valve---if it is really old you will have a different fix than a newer style---

How old?

Do you know the brand?

Can you post a picture of the unit?

 

[joecaption]

Replace or regrind the seat the washer seats against?

 

[bjornbjorn]

More details

I am not sure the age or the brand!

Its definitely an older one though. The cartridge is actually in the showers handle, the handle to turn on the hot water. There are 2 separate handles one for hot and one for cold. 100% its the Hot as hot water is coming out.

When I replace the washer there was a screw on the very end holding the washer in place, I unscrewed the screw and put the new washer in.

Could it be the cartridge that needs replacing? Thats what they told me at home depot when I went back.

Also I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[jmon]

Replace both hot and cold water cartridges and be done with it, not that expensive. Put a mark on the hot water cartridge, just in case they are different (probably not). Then take the old cartdriges with you to a hardware or plumbing supply store, they should be able to match them up for you. Home depot may have them if your lucky. If they are old, you're better off going to a basic hardware or plumbing supply store to match them up.

 

[Lightfoot]

my bad, i thought the first post said the shower head leaked.
carry on.

 

[TheEplumber]

Replace or regrind the seat the washer seats against?

Do this- you'll need to pick up the seat tool first.
The screw you mentioned probably scored the seat surface.

 

[bjornbjorn]

TheEplumber

what do you mean by the screw probably sccored the seat surface? Is the seat the cartridge or is it the end of the cartridge?

Everyone says the seat, Can somebody explain what the seat is?

How tight am I supposed to screw the screw in? Tight or just enough?

100% not a leaky showerhead, when I take it off there is still plenty of water coming out.

 

[jmon]

Check out this link, see if it helps explain it any better. Sorry, It sounds like you have valve stems not cartridges. Follow "E's" and Joe's advice. Thanks.

Link here

 

[TheEplumber]

TheEplumber

what do you mean by the screw probably sccored the seat surface? Is the seat the cartridge or is it the end of the cartridge?

Everyone says the seat, Can somebody explain what the seat is?

How tight am I supposed to screw the screw in? Tight or just enough?

100% not a leaky showerhead, when I take it off there is still plenty of water coming out.

First off- By your description you have valve stems. The seat is what the stem bib washer "seats" against to make the seal. They are part of the valve body. They are replaceable as well.

Are you sure you used the proper sized bib washer?

 

[bjornbjorn]

More Details

Yes I used the right bib washer, after I replaced it I took the old one to home depot to double check and they also confirmed it was the right side. They said I would probably have to replace the valve stem.

When I pull off the handle (the valve stem is in the handle) there is a metal thing inside is this easy to pull out and replace? Is that the seat?

 

[oh'mike]

After you remove the stem from the valve body---look inside the open hole where the stem goes-----all the way in the back ,you will see the opening that your rubber washer will touch when the stem is installed---

That is the 'seat'---they get pitted and coroded after years of use.

You can remove and replace that 'seat' --most use a long Allen wrench and simply unscrew----

If you have a plumbing supply house near by, you might get better advice and the right parts.---The Depot may have a few valve seats---but a supply house will be a better bet---Mike----

PS--rebuild the hot and cold while you are at it----and ask for a roll of 'valve stem packing' while you are at the store.

 

[bjornbjorn]

Valve stem packing

Hi Mike,

What is the valve stem packing for?

 

[oh'mike]

Packing is wrapped around the very top of the stem--when the cap nut is installed the packing is compressed and keeps water from dripping from the stem.cap nut hole--

 

[DidIDoThat]

After you remove the stem from the valve body---look inside the open hole where the stem goes-----all the way in the back ,you will see the opening that your rubber washer will touch when the stem is installed---

That is the 'seat'---they get pitted and coroded after years of use.

You can remove and replace that 'seat' --most use a long Allen wrench and simply unscrew----

If you have a plumbing supply house near by, you might get better advice and the right parts.---The Depot may have a few valve seats---but a supply house will be a better bet---Mike----

PS--rebuild the hot and cold while you are at it----and ask for a roll of 'valve stem packing' while you are at the store.

These two pics should show you what Mike is describing.