any plumbers on here?

SaleenGT2001

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2005
2,811
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Four Oaks NC
i was just wondering if anyone knows how i can get my shower to stop leaking. it still has a small stream of water with the handles turned all the way off. someone fixed it for me one time but i was wondering if it is something i can do myself so i dont have to pay a plubers a few hundered for a few munutes worth of work.
 
where is it leaking from? i'm no plumber, but have had similar things happen. First thing to check is to make sure the seals for the knobs are in tact. If they are, then make sure the knobs are screwed on tight enough, but not too tight to turn.
 
it is leaking from the faucet (if thats what they call it on a shower) it's like when you cut the water off the handles should turn a little more to completely shut the flow of water off but no matter how hard you twist them there is still a very small steady stream coming out of the faucet.
 
SaleenGT2001 said:
it is leaking from the faucet (if thats what they call it on a shower) it's like when you cut the water off the handles should turn a little more to completely shut the flow of water off but no matter how hard you twist them there is still a very small steady stream coming out of the faucet.
may just need to replace worn seals/rubber o rings.
 
SaleenGT2001 said:
where are these seals/o rings located at?

Turn the water off at the main.

Use a screw driver to take the screw off the handle.

But first, get to a hardware store. You'll need a special wrench to fit inside the wall, to loosen the spigot. Tell the guy at the store what you need it for. Once you pull the spigot out, look at the end of it. They're should be a small washer. It's prob chewed up and needs to be replaced. They're should also be a number on it. Take it back to the hardware store and get a new one.

Once the new washer is on, reverse the procedure to reinstall.
 
you will be very lucky if all you have to do is replace the rubber washers.
May as well get new seats also, thats what the washer contacts. If they
are chipped or rough they will just eat up the new washer all over again.
You need a seat wrench. Even then it is better to just replace the seats
for hot , cold and shower,and replace each brass fixture (3)
They cost about $15 each, they already have new rubber washers on them.
 
There are all kinds of shower faucets out there. Some actually have replaceable inserts that you purchase. I know about these things since I've owned a few rentals. Post a pic of the valves or faucet handles if the other fix doesn't work. That way I can determine what sort of repair it requires.
 
i replaced the whole thing but i dont have the right part i guess. my house is about 40 years old and i didnt see ANY of the brass things that were exactly like mine. the plumbing guy wasnt there today so i'll try back tomorrow. i did get a really nice new shower head though.