[Sara N]

Evening Everyone
I hope I am asking this question in the right place. Tonight, my husband took a shower and had no problems. When I went to use the shower myself, I ran the water and turned the shower diverter so that the water would come out of the shower head. At first, the water came out fine, but after about 5 seconds, the pipes made this awful groaning noise and the water just stopped coming out of the shower head. Although the water was technically "on", there was no water coming from anywhere - the shower head or the tub spout. I have left if alone for a half an hour and tried going back. Same result. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? When we turned the water back to the tub spout we found small black pieces of plastic coming out with the water. Since plumbing supply pipes are typically metal, I have no idea where the plastic is coming from. Any thoughts anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

[speedball1]

Perhaps I can take the mystery out of it for you. Although you didn't say I bet you have a three handled shower valve with the diverter knob in the center. (How'm I doing so far? ) What sounds like has happened here is that the washer, Your "black pieces", came apart and pieces ars clogging the valve. The solution is to turn off the water and open up the valve, (see image). Remove all the stems and washers and clean out and washer pieces you find and replace the washer on the diverter stem . Since the pieces are coming out the spout you will have to check the shower head and before you button up the valve turn the water back on the flush out the valve body. Good luck, tom

[doug238]

I believe tom could be right because I have seen this also, but I would check the shower head first. If the shower head is clogged then what tom said will be your next venture.