The main floor shower worked fine for the last 6 to 7 years (grama's shower) and as of late, only hot water comes out of the valve. Not sure of the make, it is a single handle model. The bad thing is that it is not very accessible without tearing the shower apart, especially if the valve needs to be replaced... I am assuming that something is stuck inside the valve body, is there any way to free things up without replacing the valve? Any help would be appreciated.

Post a picture and well tell you how to open the valve and repair with little or no wall damage. They shower ball and/or cartridge are designed to come apart but they do a great job hiding how they fit together

Some single handle faucets can be changed completely without tearing up the wall, it depends on how they were installed in the first place, but a good plumber with a smalltipped torch and some good heat sink cloth can do the jop with out damage or setting a fire in the wall.

It is kind of like doing dental work, in such close quarters but it can be done, and it is so much cheaper than ripping into the wall.

Replacing complete valve is a worst case senerio. Most likely you will be able to get this fixed by merely removing cartridge and cleaning or replacing cartridge.

Ok, I finally had time to open things up and have attached pics. I went to Home Depot for parts, but they have not seen this even though I bought it there. Also went to a plumbing store "Nobal" that states they would be open till 12 on Sat and they were closed... I can not find any brand name but the issue is very obvious, the diapham is shot... how do I find parts for this unknown valve? Where would they typically put the name brand? Now granny is without a shower at this point... I was able to close off the hot water isolation valve in the basement as a work around until this point.

The only inkling of a name brand on this valve is "UPC" but I was thinking that that was more of a certification than a brand name... does anyone know where I could source this part?? Thanks very much!

Show us the handle and the cartridge you took out.

Ok, I have attached pics of the cartridge and handle. I sure hope this helps. Thanks

Does it looks like the attach image when it is assembled, Thanks.

John

It has all 4 connections like the pic you show, but the valve itself is very different as shown in the pic with the handle, plate, cartridge and valve stem itself, thanks.

Lets wait for Harold's input, Thanks.

John

Ok, I was able to find the make, there is a small plastic label "UPC" and found that it is made in China (go figure). I tried contacting the company several times using their email address and web form to see what distributors they use in Canada or the US, no answer (just my luck)... If anyone can help locate a place that I could order from, I would very much appreciate it.. here is a pic of the unit and the part numbers.

Part Numbers for complete kit (it looks like either one will work)
057RFTHRAR-SN
057RFTHRAR-SN

Company Web Sites:
Chung Cheng Faucet Co., Ltd. (http://www.ccf.com.tw/product/main.php?mainId=7)
http://www.mayfair-hardware.com/contact-us.htm

Oooops, this should be the 2nd part number...

057RFVERNR-CP