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laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 09:04 PM

About 4 months ago we remodeled our bathroom and replaced our tub/shower faucet with an American Standard set. (model# 138-283 chrome) Since the remodel we have had to replace the rough in 3 times and it seems to be going bad again. What could be causing this? I can't believe we would have gotten that many bad parts from the manufacturer. Any help would be appreciated. Having to buy new parts and installing them is a nuisance.

ma0641 · Aug 13, 2011, 09:13 PM

Possible galvanic action. Do you have galvanized to brass connections?

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 09:34 PM

What exactly is it (not) doing ? Yes, it does happen that you purchase faucet with manufacturer's defect - but 3 times ? There must be something else wrong. Is your installer licensed plumber ? Did you try to call American Standard support line ? Can you post photos of the installed faucet ? Also, when you remove trim, snap a pic of the rough-in as well. Back to you. Milo

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 09:34 PM

No we have pvc pipes. And also we have township water, not from a well.

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 09:36 PM

@Milo The tub/shower keeps losing water pressure to hot and cold.

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 09:40 PM

Both at the same time ?

American Standard website doesn't recognize the faucet by the number you've posted. Is there a model name to it ?

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 09:45 PM

Yes, the problem is the same with both the hot and the cold, when you turn either of them on. Be it seperatly or together the water pressure remains the same sad little trickle. :(

It's the Cadet. Maybe I posted the wrong number... but those are the only ones I can find. Maybe it's just Cadet 3275 chrome finish? That is listed next to the bar code.

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 09:52 PM

Is this what it looks like ?

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 09:53 PM

Yes that is the one!

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 09:58 PM

It is a very simple faucet. Please, explain to me in detail what happens when you turn water ON and/or what happens when you notice the problems. Back to you. Milo

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 10:03 PM

For awhile the faucet works fine, and then we slowly over a course of days or weeks lose water pressure. The last time after installing the new rough in behind the shower wall it lasted for 6 weeks before having to replace it. No matter what you do the water pressure doesn't get any better. Like it's clogged or something, but when we take them out we can't see a blockage.

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 10:06 PM

Loss of water pressure is noticed in shower head only ?

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 10:08 PM

Does this "loss of water pressure" happens in other faucets in your house or is this the only one ?

Also, this faucet has 2 handles. My question is: Are those Hot and Cold handles OR is one handle Volume Control handle and the other one is Temperature Control handle ?

Back to you... Milo

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 10:15 PM

My loss of water pressure is out of both the tub spout and shower head. The two handles are for the hot and cold lines. (One handle is for hot, the other for cold) All the water pressure throughout the rest of the house is great. It only happens at the tub/shower. We have also checked for leaks and had new pipes installed since the last time we had this issue hoping that would clear it up.

Milo Dolezal · Aug 13, 2011, 10:18 PM

It is little puzzling to me since all Up the Code faucets sold across the country should be pressure / temperature balanced. However, I assume you managed to buy the non-balanced faucet. In any case, I don't think there is anything wrong with the body of the faucet. It may be dirt traveling through the pipes and clogging your cartridges .

Do this:

1. Close water to the whole house
2. Remove handles and remove both cartridges
3. Inspect both cartridges for debris on the discs
4. Take towel and cover Hot and Cold water outlets
5. Have somebody to turn water ON for few seconds to flush out the body. Close water when flushed.
6. Reinstall cartridges
7. Turn water ON and see if it helped

Also, you may have to replace both cartridges. See if it helped.

I don't think you have to replace entire body because once you remove both cartridges, there is really nothing inside the body to inhibit water flow through the body itself.

Let me know how you did...

Back to you. Milo

laceystorm · Aug 13, 2011, 10:28 PM

Thank you, we will try that!

Paul_at_ASB · Aug 17, 2011, 02:22 PM

Hello:

Is the valve body secure?
Is the unit roughed in too deep and you require a deep rough in kit?
Call American Standard at 1-800-442-1902 and we will assist you.

Paul, ASB

mygirlsdad77 · Aug 17, 2011, 03:59 PM

Hi Paul. Just curious. I realize the valve body being secure is important, but what would it have to do with low pressure/volume? Same with depth of rough in. I am assuming actuall rough in is good, as they never mentioned any problems with fitting of escutcheons or handles etc.

Lace. I would take Pauls advice and call his number. They should be able to walk you through this, and maybe even send you new free cartridges etc.

Milo, Im with you on this one. Sounds like something is getting in there and plugging up both cartridges.

I will also assume this was not installed by a plumber? As Milo mentioned, these are very simple fuacets (good faucets, just simple) and any licensed plumber should be able to get this up and working in short order. Or at the very least show you how to remove cartridges and flush the body, and clean the cartridges, so if there is residual sediment, you can do this yourself until all sediment is gone. Good luck and please let us know how things work out.