studdering noise when activating shower: no water

newhomeblues · #1 Sep 10, 2009, 07:38 PM

So, this is our first home. Many minor to intermidiate repairs needed. One repair required me to replace the hot water spiggot for the washing machine connection. There was no valve before the the hot water heater so it was suggested to me to shut off the water heater intake. I did, replaced the spiggot and no leaks for the washing machine anymore. Since then when we try to take a shower, we turn the single knob for the temp. adjust then we pull the lifter to switch to shower mode and when we pull the lifter it sounds like a machine gun going off, little trickles of water sputter out of the shower and then it shuts down, no noise no water. Not sure what the problem is or how to diagnose it, any other symptoms I should look for to help diagnose it?

Thanks

afaroo · Sep 10, 2009, 07:51 PM

Is the water flow OK in other sinks and toilets?
Is this Tub/Shower or only shower?
If it is tub and shower, how is water flow in the tub?
Please answer these questions and we will get back to you, also if possible please tell me the brand and the model number of your faucet, Thanks.

John

newhomeblues · Sep 11, 2009, 10:08 AM

All other faucets work fine. It is a tub/shower, faucet flow is fine as well. Not sure about model of faucet, where would I find that information? Thanks

afaroo · Sep 11, 2009, 12:37 PM

If the water flow is good for the tub, Remove the shower head and turn on the water for the shower see how it works, if water flow is good then the problem is with the shower head, needs to be cleaned or replaced.

If no water flow then problem is with cartridge, please come back and we will tell you what the next step is, if you can’t tell the brand and the model number of your faucet, please post a picture, Thanks.

John

mygirlsdad77 · Sep 11, 2009, 03:19 PM

I think afaroo nailed it, it sounds like a plugged shower head.

newhomeblues · Nov 2, 2009, 06:02 PM

Ok, so loooooong delay. As I said many other minor things we have been working on here. Here's an update to the noise in the shower though.
It's a Moen, single knob turn to turn on and temperature. Cartridge I came up with was the 1222, I replaced it, same thing. Oh yeah, did the test with the shower head off and same thing, before and after the cartridge replacement. I have searched hi and low for someone with a similar problem and can't find any. As I said before this happened after I had shut off the intake on the water heater cause I had to replace a valve for the washing machine. Another thing I did, I turn it on so (I'm assuming) only the cold water is in the pipe and works fine; sucks cause it's only cold water and very little of it. If it turn it close to a quarter turn then the problem happens. Machine gun fire behind the walls (maybe pipes) then no water, no noise. I'm sick of taking baths, anything else I can try other than have a plumber come out??
PS replacing the cartridge did make the bathtub faucet quite a bit quieter.