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Melhere02 · Nov 19, 2008, 02:23 PM

The hot water pressure in my shower/tub is very low, but the pressure in the bathroom sink (which is right next to the shower) is fine, and the cold water is fine. My bathroom is on the second floor and it's an old house. Would this be a pipe problem coming upstairs or just the fixture for the tub?:confused:

ballengerb1 · Nov 19, 2008, 05:19 PM

Your tub mixing valve is partially clogged at the hot inlet. Remove the cartridge or mixing valve after closing your main and draining off any pressure. The inlet port will most likely have debris which can be picked out or blown out.

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 19, 2008, 05:40 PM

Do you have a single handle or two handle tub/shower faucet? If single handle, then follow ballengerbs advice.

Melhere02 · Nov 20, 2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

do you have a single handle or two handle tub/shower faucet? If single handle, then follow ballengerbs advice.

It is a two handle. I will try ballengerbs advice. Thank you!

Melhere02 · Nov 20, 2008, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Your tub mixing valve is partially clogged at the hot inlet. Remove the cartridge or mixing valve after closing your main and draining off any pressure. The inlet port will most likely have debris which can be picked out or blown out.

Sorry, one more question. Will the mixing valve be part of the fawcett assembly or before that?

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:13 PM

Since you have a two handle faucet, it would help to know the brand of faucet. How old is it? It may be a plugged cartridge or a bad rubber washer.

Only single handle faucets have mixing(tempering) capabilitys. Lets start with the name of the faucet, and we should be able to help.

Melhere02 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

since you have a two handle faucet, it would help to know the brand of faucet. How old is it? It may be a plugged cartridge or a bad rubber washer.

Only single handle faucets have mixing(tempering) capabilitys. Lets start with the name of the faucet, and we should be able to help.

It is an Eljer and it is about 20 years old.

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:52 PM

Not sure whether old eljers had cartridges or stem and seat. You will need to dissasemble hot valve and let me know what you find. If you could take a pic of what you find, it would definatley help.

Melhere02 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:56 PM

Ok. Thanks. Hopefully I'll be able to look at it this weekend.

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:57 PM

Look forward to it.

ballengerb1 · Nov 20, 2008, 09:16 PM

20 year old Eljer should be a stem and washer.

Melhere02 · Nov 21, 2008, 07:20 AM

So would I be better off just replacing the fixture at this point?

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 21, 2008, 04:38 PM

I would personally say yes. But the existing faucet may be repairable. If you plan to fix it, you can replace the washer at the end of the stem.. I would recommend replacing the seat(the part the washer pushes up against) at the same time. This will take special tool.

I really feel that you would be better off in the long run, if you seriously thought about replacement.

Good luck and please let us know what you decide. Either way, we will give our best advice.

massplumber2008 · Nov 21, 2008, 04:57 PM

Here is a picture of the seat removal tool that MGD77 recommended.

First, try to simply replace the washer at the end of the stem asssembly... reach in to where the washer sits against the seat and see if this is smooth or rough. If rough, then you will need the seat removal tool and some good luck!

Tool inserts into seat and then you SNAP the seat loose (turn tool counterclockwise to remove seat).

Give this a shot at least but be prepared to replace the entire 2-handle valve over to a single handle valve. In this case you would be best to work from beind the valve in a closet if possible, or If you must replace valve from the front they make a REMODELER'S PLATE for this.

Let us know what you decide...

MARK

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