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View Full Version : Stand Alone Shower with 1 Knob Won't Fully Shut Off - Drips


DIYkpete
Oct 22, 2011, 07:38 AM
I have a stand alone shower with only 1 knob that twists left and right for cold/hot water. A few weeks ago when I would press the knob in to turn off the water, it dripped afterwards like normal to release all the excess water but then continued to drip all day. It won't stop at all. I noticed that when I would push it all the way in, and try to turn it left or right after it's "off", sometimes it would slow the drip to almost stopped but it doesn't anymore. Now when I turn it left or right when it's off, I can hear a very feint water pressure noise. If I keep twisting it back and forth I can finally get it to stop the noise, but the drip continues.

I took off the knob and reset it after I looked around for anything funny, but I'm not plumbing inclined so I wouldn't know what to look for. I believe that the pipe fitting has some sort of issue, the one that the knob ultimately screws into and controls the "on/off" of the water flow but I am unsure of how I should continue my DIY fix. I don't mind attempting this as I'm pretty handy, but I have zero idea of what part(s) I need to replace or how many intricacies are actually in that pipe fitting.

Money is tight, or I would've called a plumber a week ago. The dripping noise can be heard when trying to go to sleep and I'm starting to go crazy.

House was built in 1996, I doubt it's ever been replaced but unsure as I moved in 2 years ago. If anyone has a clue, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance

speedball1
Oct 22, 2011, 07:43 AM
What's the brand name of your shower valve? Back to you, Tom

DIYkpete
Oct 22, 2011, 08:00 AM
The knob that screws into pipe coming out of the wall looks like this: I found on Lowe's Website

http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=89236-866-98039&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3101365&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

However, it doesn't say the word "Moen or Delta" on it. There isn't a name, it just has a symbol of a diamond in the middle of the "teardrop" knob. It looks pretty basic. I hope that answer the question, I'm not sure the brands of anything else there aren't names on anything.

I will add that the screw is longer than this picture however, it's roughly an inch to inch and a half.

speedball1
Oct 23, 2011, 08:26 AM
You have pictured a Moen Knob. The brand name is displayoned on the metal insert that snaps into the top of the knob. Regards, Tom

speedball1
Oct 23, 2011, 10:47 AM
You have got some trash under the cartridge that's not allowing it to close.
Shut the water off to the valve and remove the handle, Pull the copper horse shoe clamp with a pair of pliers and pull the cartridge out, Inspect it for any trash and clean if necessary. Now turn the water back on to flush out the supplies and open valve body making sure the cartridge base is clear reinsert the cartridge with the lines on the stem facing you. Insert the horseshoe clamp and chrome tube stop;. Reassemble the handle, turn the water back on and test. Better now? Good luck, Tom