[cosxp]

I live in house aged around 30 years and I recently experience very low hot water supply in one of shower bath.

I replaced faucet cartridge and it seems it didn't fix the issue and after reading some posting, I believe it could be something has been built inside pipe causing low hot water supply.

If that's the case what would be best way to clean the clogging or what would be best way to fix this issue.

Marked area is hot water supply

[hkstroud]

Remove cartridge again. With cartridge removed turn on the water briefly to flush out the valve. Then reinstall cartridge.

[Milo Dolezal]

Some faucets have "stops" with filter before water reaches cartridge. It could be that the filter screen is clogged with debris. Moreover, the "stop" itself could be causing slower hot water delivery as it is another device within the plumbing system water has to flow through. Any way you can tell us what brand / type / kind of faucet you have ? Also, what type of plumbing pipes are installed in your house ? And lastly - is this happening ONLY in that shower faucet ? Back to you. Milo

[cosxp]

#1. I have flushed out the valve several times but it didn't help.

#2. Cartridge part works fine because I've tested new cartridge on up stair bathroom which uses same faucet. I actually liked new cartridge since it looks more solid.

Original cartridge: moen 1225. (Plastic material + rubber)
New cartridge bought: moen 1200 (Cooper material)


After researching moen site using original cartridge part#,
The vale used in side wall is moen 62720 and you can see the spec
At http://www.moen.com/shared/docs/prod...ns/62720sp.pdf

eBay part link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moen-62720-N...item43b8fd2ea6

I'm looking for solution in following preferred way.

#1. If possible, I'd like get it clean the clog on hot water side.
#2. If 4 way valve has to be replaced, can it be done without breaking wall ?

[hkstroud]

What kind of pipes?

Marked area is hot water supply

What does that mean?

Does you valve have integral stops? Looks like big screw on each side of the valve?

#2. If 4 way valve has to be replaced, can it be done without breaking wall ?

Only is there is an access panel on the other side of the wall.

[cosxp]

What kind of pipes?


What does that mean?

Does you valve have integral stops? Looks like big screw on each side of the valve?



Only is there is an access panel on the other side of the wall.

There's no integral stops or access panel for shower water supply.
Please see this screenshot with detailed explanation..

[hkstroud]

Not seeing screen shot.

[cosxp]

Attached missing screenshot.

[hkstroud]

Can't imagine what could be in the pipe. You say you have flushed several time to no avail. However I think I would get a short piece of soft vinyl tubing that will fit inside the valve. Stick it inside the valve and duct tape it to hold it in place. This would only be to direct the water into the tub and not in the wall. Turn on the water and let it run for a period, hoping that whatever is in there will be forced out. Close tub drain so you will know if it is flushed out.

If that didn't work I would get about 12 to 16" of ground wire out of a piece of 12 gauge electrical cable. It should be flexible enough to bend into the pipe and stiff enough to push into the pipe. Bend the end over and make a very small hook in the end. Put a slight gentle bend in the wire so you can get it started in the pipe. One you get the wire started in the pipe you should be able to push it into the pipe for 6 to 8". Pull the wire out, turn it as you pull. You could even chuck the wire in a drill and spin it as you pull it out.

If the doesn't work, it will be go into the wall on the other side and cut the pipe, clear and then solder it back together.

[cosxp]

Thanks for the suggestions Harold,
I'll try from #1 suggestion and post back the result..

[jlisenbe]

This is an interesting thread.

[cosxp]

After I made hook using cooper wire stripped off from rg59 cable and use it to put inside hole as much as I can and let water flushed, part of obstacles was on hooked and I could take out obstacles little bit out of hole.
After I get the lead, I've spent around 30 minutes to take out whole thing using long thin plier and hot water pressure back to normal..

Here's result screenshot... Any one recognize this thing came out from pipe ?
It's been floating inside hot water pipe and ended at this shower valve.

[hkstroud]

Nothing like that should ever be in a pipe. Looks like something someone stuffed in a pipe (and forgot to take out) a long time ago to stop a drip while soldering pipe.

Cngrats.

[hkstroud]

On second look that looks like a piece of sand cloth, see what looks like aluminum oxide printed on it.

[jlisenbe]

Someone sanding the inside of a copper fitting getting ready to solder and a small piece or two of sandpaper got loose, unnoticed?