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Christopher_Shane · Aug 20, 2006, 06:41 PM

OK, I've searched these threads and haven't really been able to find a problem like mine. If there is and I just couldn't find it, I apologize and would appreciate someone directing me to it.

I just bought a condo. It's one year old, but I'm the first to live in it. 3 bed/3 bath. The downstairs bathroom and kitchen have good hot water pressure (hot water heater is also downstairs). One of the upstairs bathrooms has good hot water pressure, however, one bathroom doesn't. The strange thing is, the cold water pressure works fine, but when I turn on the hot water it merely trickles out. Even stranger is, the sink in that same bathroom works fine, good pressure for both cold and hot.

I've taken my share of cold showers, but I'd really rather not do it on a daily basis. I'm hoping this problem isn't as strange as I think it is.

Please help me out..
Chris

letmetellu · Aug 20, 2006, 08:59 PM

If you are only having this problem with one bathtub faucet I would think it is a problem in the faucet itself. Very possible that some trash has made it what the that faucet and needs to be cleaned out. I don't know what kind of faucets you have but there are some faucets that have a scald guard feature and it is possible that it is set too cool.

Christopher_Shane · Aug 20, 2006, 10:48 PM

OK thanks, well it's a Moen and it has one handle that controls both hot and cold. Is there a way for me to find out how to clean it? Underneath the faucet for the tub portion, there is a metal cap-like thing. I took it off but I don't see much. Do I unscrew the actual handle? Or is there a way to take off the tub faucet? I'm really lost (if you can't tell).

Help me,
Chris

speedball1 · Aug 21, 2006, 09:44 AM

Hi Chris,

Letmetellu put his finger directly on the problem when he placed the blame on the tub faucet. Let me carry it a bit farther. I have put up two inages of a Moen Tub and shower valve and the cartridge that fits inside.
Here's how to open up your valve.
Renove the insert button to expose screw.
Remove the screw and pull off handle assembly.
Turn off the water to the valve.
Remove retainer clip (copper horseshoe shaped clip) and pull out cartridge with channel locks, pliers, or cartridge puller.
Once apart and the cartridge out check and clean out the inlet ports.
Before you reassemble turn the water back on to flush out the supplies. This is how to reassemble.
Insert the cartridge with hole on the stem facing the 6 o'clock position, or down in a tub/shower.
Reinsert retainer clip and screw in handle assembly, followed by the insert button. Turn water back. My company uses Moen valves on all their new construction. Moen makes a "cartridge puller" That will get those stubborn cartridges out of the valve body if you have a problem. More questions? I'm as close as a click. Regards. TOM

Christopher_Shane · Aug 22, 2006, 08:04 PM

OK, this helps a lot. I have one issue though, my knob is not the knob in the diagram. It's more like a handle, and it faces downward when off. Anyway, I can't seem to find a way to get the handle off. I tried to get around it by just unscrewing the two Escutcheon (?? According to the diagram) screws but they can't be uncscrewed completely without removing the handle.
Uggh... getting frustrated.

Chris...

letmetellu · Aug 22, 2006, 08:22 PM

There should be a place for a Allen wrench on the handle some place, now this is just a guess because of what you said about your handle. But if you can get the handle off you can move a piece in the faucet that will let you turn the water on and get more hot water, If you have a Home Depot of other type of hardware store where you live go by and ask one of their plumbing people about the particular faucet that you have. Moen is not a popular brand in this area and so It is hard to remember all of the different things you do to all the different faucets.. . Good Luck

Christopher_Shane · Aug 22, 2006, 08:35 PM

OK, Allen wrench did the trick, although it was a major pain. I'll try and follow the previous instructions and let you all know how it goes...

Thanks,
Chris

Christopher_Shane · Aug 22, 2006, 09:33 PM

Yeah, so I successfully removed the cartridge and it's as clean as can be. Guess that's not the problem, any other suggestions? Please??

Chris

letmetellu · Aug 22, 2006, 09:45 PM

Take the cartridge out again and have some one help you by hold something in front of the faucet as you turn the water back on for about the count of three, this should wash out anything that is in the pipe leading to the faucet. A heavy towel is something good to hold over the faucet and remember that the water is going to be hot coming out so don't leave it own but a couple of seconds. Then reinstall the stem and see if you did any good.
One question, is there a plastic thing just beneath the handle that looks like you could slip it off and turn it a quarter of an inch or so with your fingers. I am trying to determine if you have an anti scald faucet.