Log in

View Full Version : Hot Water Pressure In Bath Tub


Shandel
Jun 2, 2007, 08:14 AM
The hot water pressure in my bath tub/shower is extremely low and hardly dispense hot water. The cold water pressure is excellent and both cold and hot water pressure in the sinks are fine.

I have tried opening and cleaning the faucet but the problem persits looking as if water is not just flowing into that line when the faucet is turned to HOT.

Any suggestion short of calling the experts will be highly appreciated.

Shandel

speedball1
Jun 2, 2007, 04:14 PM
Did you shut the water off to the valve and open up the hot water supply to see if you had pressure coming into the valve?

doug238
Jun 2, 2007, 08:52 PM
Is it a single handle faucet? Which brand?

Shandel
Jun 3, 2007, 07:21 AM
It's a Moen single knob faucet. I have both knob and faucet opened as far as I can go. Behind the face plate of the knob, I ran into a cross like connection of pipes (which I pressume to be the mixer). I tried opening a valve like white plastic that has (HC) written on it without luck despite removing the key.

On the faucet end, I stripped it and all I can see now is a single pipe coming out of the wall. I tried a metallic hanger to clear any debris but no luck. I also tried the towel and bucket method of blocking the pipe with a towel and turning the knob for about 3 seconds. Again, there was no luck.

Don't know what else to do.

doug238
Jun 3, 2007, 07:40 AM
Has it always been like this? You may have a bit of solder or other debris blocking the port. Did you remove the cartridge to check for pressure and volume? Have you tried to turn the brass stem only, with the handle off? If you call moen customer service, they warranty parts. You probably have a 'positemp'. This is a costly cartridge. Get it warranteed for free.

Shandel
Jun 3, 2007, 01:05 PM
Just returned from the hardware store where I bought a replacement cartridge and a special wrench meant for this. While trying to pull out the cartridge, there was a gush of both cold and hot water coming out from the back of the cartridge indicating hot water supply. If I had continued, the whole bathroom would have been a mess so had to stop.

My problem now is, I can't turn off the water supply to the house because the water meter is locked and can't seem to trace where the specific valves to the two water inlets into the bath tub is located.

This is a second floor bathroom and I've tried looking in the attic without any luck. I might be looking at the wrong place. Please help.

speedball1
Jun 3, 2007, 04:06 PM
A Moen tub and shower valve has screwdriver stops installed at the point where the supplies connect to the valve. Remove the handle and the chrome face plate. You will need a screwdriver to turn the stops clockwise to shut the water off. Remove the cartridge and check the inlet ports for blockage. Before you button up, mt6urn the waqter on for a second to flush out the supplies. Reassemble and test. good luck, tom

Shandel
Jun 3, 2007, 06:21 PM
Thank you guys for your patience, suggestions and step by step directions. I finally was able to fix the problem.