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    BrianChristophe's Avatar
    BrianChristophe Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 2, 2012, 03:04 PM
    Shower problem and leak on property
    In my stand up shower the hot water knob is the only one that allows water to come through. If while the hot water is running I turn on the cold the water stops running. There is also a leak on the property (the leak detector on my water meter turns intermittently but constantly). I have searched all the sinks toilets and hose bibs for leaks but have found none.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    Sep 3, 2012, 12:24 PM
    You have two issues. Let's address the leak first, what do you mean by
    my water meter turns intermittently but constantly).
    It either runs constantly or not. Please explain.

    Close the house shut off. Does the meter turn? We're checking the service line to the house. Is there a sprinkler system on ,line?
    Back to you. Tom
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
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    #3

    Sep 3, 2012, 12:40 PM
    Yeah, did you do a DYE test on the toilet TANKS? If not, take some food coloring and drip it into the toilet tanks 'till you get a deep color. Wait a couple hours and then return to see if colored water shows up in the toilet BOWLS. If color shows up in the bowl you found your leaker(s)... ;)

    Mark
    BrianChristophe's Avatar
    BrianChristophe Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Sep 3, 2012, 12:42 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    You have two issues. Let's address the leak first, what do you mean by It either runs constantly or not. Please explain.

    Close the house shut off. Does the meter turn? We're checking the service line to the house. Is there a sprinkler system on ,line?
    Back to you. Tom
    It's definitely after the house shut off, there is no sprinkler system. And by intermittently I mean it will turn slowly for a second or two then stop for a second. When I turn the house shut off there is no movement from the leak detector
    BrianChristophe's Avatar
    BrianChristophe Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Sep 3, 2012, 12:45 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by massplumber2008 View Post
    Yeah, did you do a DYE test on the toilet TANKS? If not, take some food coloring and drip it into the toilet tanks 'till you get a deep color. Wait a couple hours and then return to see if colored water shows up in the toilet BOWLS. If color shows up in the bowl you found your leaker(s)...;)

    Mark
    The toilets water supply is actually shut off so no water to the toilets.
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    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
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    #6

    Sep 3, 2012, 12:54 PM
    Hi Brian...

    Next question from me... do any pipes go into the floor/slab?

    PS: I'm off until later tonight but will check back in.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #7

    Sep 3, 2012, 01:02 PM
    Marks thinking you might have a hidden leak. Is this a slab house? Is there only one toilet?
    This shower valve. Is it one handle or two knobs? What's the brand name? How old? Give me all the information on it that you can. Back to you, Tom
    BrianChristophe's Avatar
    BrianChristophe Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Sep 3, 2012, 01:03 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by massplumber2008 View Post
    Hi Brian...

    Next question from me...do any pipes go into the floor/slab?

    PS: I'm off until later tonight but will check back in.
    It is a frame style house (not 100% sure if that is accurate but there is a crawl space under the house) That is the only place I have yet to check as my back problems make it a bit difficult.
    BrianChristophe's Avatar
    BrianChristophe Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Sep 3, 2012, 01:29 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Marks thinking you might have a hidden leak. Is this a slab house? Is there only one toilet?
    This shower valve. Is it one handle or two knobs? What's the brand name? How old? Give me all the information on it that you can. Back to you, Tom
    It's not a slab house, there are two toilets both have the water turned off, the shower has two knobs, its an old shower and I can't find a brand anywhere as it is just the two knobs and the shower spigot.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #10

    Sep 3, 2012, 02:03 PM
    About the only thing you can do is start checking the walls. Listen for running water, Look for moisture on the floor. Get down in the crawl spare and check the pipes. If your back won't allow it have a friend do it for you but get it done.
    Here's a cutaway of your valve,(see image) Just ignore the center diverter,
    Shut the water off to the valve and open it up. Replace the washers and check the seats for nicks or rough spots, Now turn the water back on for a second to flush out the supplies. You should see a strong stream. Reassemble and test, Better now? Good luck, Tom
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    BrianChristophe's Avatar
    BrianChristophe Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #11

    Sep 3, 2012, 03:16 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    About the only thing you can do is start checking the walls. Listen for running water, Look for moisture on the floor. Get down in the crawl spare and check the pipes. If your back won't allow it have a friend do it for you but get it done.
    Here's a cutaway of your valve,(see image) Just ignore the center diverter,
    Shut the water off to the valve and open it up. Replace the washers and check the seats for nicks or rough spots, Now turn the water back on for a second to flush out the supplies. You should see a strong stream. Reassemble and test, Better now? Good luck, Tom
    It doesn't have the screws in the center of the knobs, its all metal and I can't seem to find any screws anywhere
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #12

    Sep 3, 2012, 03:27 PM
    Suggest that you turn off valves at clothes washer, also close valve to refrigerator if you have ice maker or chilled water. Also check outside hose bibs that might have hose and nozzle attached. Humidifier on furnace if you have one.

    Also check T&P valve on water heater.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #13

    Sep 3, 2012, 03:28 PM
    Ignore the center knob assembly. The knobs should have a insert. Simply pry it out and the screw will be underneath. Ok? Tom
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