Hi I have been having problems with my cold water in my shower! It has two separate knobs and the hot water side works fine. And the cold water works at all other locations throughout the house, just not the shower. I took the knob off and pulled the valve out and water just trickles out of the hole... I looked around online and tried a few things... I turned off the water main then turned on a faucet and blew air into the cold water plumbing with my compressor in the shower and water blasted out in the sink just fine so I know there is no restrictions or blockage in the cold water pipes...
Now I am lost and don't know what to try next or what the problem can be?
Can anyone help me out PLEASE

It sounds like you have blockage in cold port of your shower valve, shut the water main remove the stem try to stick a coat hanger wire in port clean as much as you can now turn on the water to flush out the debris see if the water flow is improved and install the stem, good luck.

John

In addition to John's advice...

Check for loose washer ( on the bottom of the stem ). Also, some valves have "stops" ( small shut-off valves installed on the brass body of the faucet ). Those "stops" could have a screen built in. If that's the case, unscrew the screen screw, clean screen, and reinstall

It could also be a ceramic disc that is not lining up correctly. In that case, I would suggest you purchase new stem

Milo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

In addition to John's advice...

Check for loose washer ( on the bottom of the stem ). Also, some valves have "stops" ( small shut-off valves installed on the brass body of the faucet ). Those "stops" could have a screen built in. If that's the case, unscrew the screen screw, clean screen, and reinstall

It could also be a ceramic disc that is not lining up correctly. In that case, I would suggest you purchase new stem

Milo

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Okay but when I shut off main valve and take out the shower valve and while the valve is out I had someone turn the water back on and it only trickled out without the valve in it... shouldn't it come gushing out?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by afaroo

It sounds like you have blockage in cold port of your shower valve, shut the water main remove the stem try to stick a coat hanger wire in port clean as much as you can now turn on the water to flush out the debris see if the water flow is improved and install the stem, good luck.

John

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I'll try that... I thought since I blasted air through it that would mean there is not blockage? But I was assuming and we all know what that means lol

Yes, it should. However, if there are "stops" with debris screens, they would prevent water from gushing out

Just trying to explore all possible options...

Another scenario could be that some manufacturers install plastic screens on hot / cold inlets. They are inserted into threaded ends of the faucet. You would not be able to see them, only after removing faucet from the wall. However, you should be able to poke a hole through them with coat hanger

Do you happen to know, what is the brand of the faucet in question ?

Milo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Yes, it should. However, if there are "stops" with debris screens, they would prevent water from gushing out

Just trying to explore all possible options...

Another scenario could be that some manufacturers install plastic screens on hot / cold inlets. They are inserted into threaded ends of the faucet. You would not be able to see them, only after removing faucet from the wall. However, you should be able to poke a hole through them with coat hanger

Do you happen to know, what is the brand of the faucet in question ?

Milo

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No clue it is an ancient set up lol here is two pics
Attachment 48368Attachment 48369 one is with valve stem out and water main is on...

Thank you for the image.

It appears to me that you may have Copper to Galvanized connection on both hot and cold water side.

Close water to the house, unscrew both unions, and look inside the pipe. You may see excessive corrosion build up inside the pipe due to electrolysis. Looks like "metallic / rusty foam"

Let's see what other Experts have to say to this visual

Btw: If that conduit is an electrical conduit than it should not be in proximity of water. It is very dangerous. I suggest you reroute it before somebody gets hurt

Hope that helps

Milo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Thank you for the image.

It appears to me that you may have Copper to Galvanized connection on both hot and cold water side.

Close water to the house, unscrew both unions, and look inside the pipe. You may see excessive corrosion build up inside the pipe due to electrolysis. Looks like "metallic / rusty foam"

Let's see what other Experts have to say to this visual

Btw: If that conduit is an electrical conduit than it should not be in proximity of water. It is very dangerous. I suggest you reroute it before somebody gets hurt

Hope that helps

Milo

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Thanks Milo, I will try taking it off and it isn't electrical conduit :) Looks like it but it is only an attachment hose for a shower head