Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    dariusirani's Avatar
    dariusirani Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 3, 2008, 09:53 AM
    Shower Valve Stem Replaced, Still leaking!
    I replaced my Price Pfister shower valves, including diverter, and I cannot stop the slow drip from the spout into the tub. I am a novice DIY'er with an older 1930's triplex. There was no leak before with the previous valves but they were very old, tough to turn on/off, and had water temperature flucutuations.

    I had a much worse drip originally but a suggestion to put teflon tape on the new seats slowed the drip to about once every 30 seconds. Nothing appears to be cross threaded to have any sediment. I tried putting silicon grease on the washers for a better seal and that has also not worked. I even tried using the old gasket that was on the other valves because they are wider and seemed better than the new white gaskets that came with the valves. While I was installing the hot water valve the seat did break so I used another new shower seat I had. That valve appears shorter than the other ones but the drip feels cold so I'm not sure that has anything to do with it.

    Sorry for the long post but I wanted to explain everything that has happened. I am so frustrated and stumped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Oct 3, 2008, 10:06 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by dariusirani View Post
    I replaced my Price Pfister shower valves, including diverter, and I cannot stop the slow drip from the spout into the tub. I am a novice DIY'er with an older 1930's triplex. There was no leak before with the previous valves but they were very old, tough to turn on/off, and had water temperature flucutuations.

    I had a much worse drip originally but a suggestion to put teflon tape on the new seats slowed the drip to about once every 30 seconds. Nothing appears to be cross threaded to have any sediment. I tried putting silicon grease on the washers for a better seal and that has also not worked. I even tried using the old gasket that was on the other valves because they are wider and seemed better than the new white gaskets that came with the valves. While I was installing the hot water valve the seat did break so I used another new shower seat I had. That valve appears shorter than the other ones but the drip feels cold so I'm not sure that has anything to do with it.

    Sorry for the long post but I wanted to explain everything that has happened. I am so frustrated and stumped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
    While I was installing the hot water valve the seat did break so I used another new shower seat I had.
    Are you sure you meant seat and not washer? Did you replace the seats as well? If any of the seats are nickes, cracked or have rough spots you would still leak no matter what you did. Let me know, Regards, Tom
    dariusirani's Avatar
    dariusirani Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 3, 2008, 10:26 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Are you sure you meant seat and not washer? Did you replace the seats as well? If any of the seats are nickes, cracked or have rough spots you would still leak no matter what you did. Let me know, Regards, Tom
    Tom,

    Thanks for your quick reply! Both seats and washers are brand new. No nicks, etc. The only thing I used that was old was the gasket from the old valve because it appeared to be wider.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Oct 3, 2008, 10:46 AM
    Threaded plastic fittings are real easy to crossthread. If any of the seats were crossthreaded when they were installed that would cause them to leak even when the stem's closed. Check and see. Good luck, Tom
    dariusirani's Avatar
    dariusirani Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Oct 3, 2008, 11:05 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    Threaded plastic fittings are real easy to crossthread. If any of the seats were crossthreaded when they were installed that would cause them to leak even when the stem's closed. Check and see. Good luck, Tom
    Thanks Tom. Everything is metal, not plastic. I will check again but I believe I was very careful knowing that crossthreading is a common problem. Using teflon tape did help reduce the drip by 90%. Should I try new seats again with teflon tape to be safe?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #6

    Oct 3, 2008, 11:41 AM
    Should I try new seats again with teflon tape to be safe?
    I would. You have to be leaking past the seat and if the washer
    S seating correctly then that's about all that's left. Good luck, Tom
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Stem leaking in shower [ 2 Answers ]

I just recently put in an extension for my shower faucet. Now, I see that I have a leak coming from the shower stem. The leak is happening even when the shower is turned off. Do I need to replace the stem or seat? Could I have damaged something when I installed the extension and new faucet? ...

Shower Valve Stem Adapter [ 1 Answers ]

I have an old Symmons shower valuve and recently purchased a new Kohler shower head/handel system. The problem is, the stem valve for the Kohler shower handel doesn't fit onto the old shower valve? I JUST finished a tile surround and am not about to open that wall back up to instal a new shower...

Tub/shower valve stem [ 7 Answers ]

Hello,I will like to know can a tub valve stem get restricted with sediment and block Water flow till you get hardly nothing or just a stream?It has been leaking for Quite a while now and has gotten worser.I already have an existing sediment Build up from galvanized pipes.I been tapping the...

Replaced Shower valve problem [ 2 Answers ]

This SHOULD have been simple... I replaced HOT and COLD valves and the DIVERTER on 2 showers. They were old and needed to go. Great care was taken to match and get the proper replacements. The COLD on each shower works well. The HOT leaks out the center post a bit in each shower. The...

Shower was leaking from handles/I replaced and now it won't work [ 2 Answers ]

I purchased a replacement kit for a shower with leaking handles. I made sure to buy the same bonnets and seats. I changed everything out. Now it does not work at all. No water comes out of the shower head. The diverter does not leak at all but the water comes out of the shower handles only. I...

View more questions Search