[shulta44]

Guy's I have a new tub/shower. I noticed a leak coming threw last week. After a lot (and I do mean lot) I have narrowed the leak down to the face plate on the mixing valve. A single handle American statndard. I have literally resealed the entire tub, tub fill and tub overflow. I get no leaks until I take a shower and I get no leaks until the water runs down the wall to the plate. I even removed the shower head and hooked up a hose to keep the water off the wall while I looked around and no leak. I do seal the face plate 2/3 of the way around. I think it is the gasket around the handle.My question is has anyone ever had this ? And has anyone ever sealed around the escutcheon ? I have never sealed around the escutchion and I have never had a problem. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Did I mention how much I hate chasing down water leaks. :-)
Thanks
Shulta

[cm5838]

American standard is not the high quality product it used to be, they use inferior materials in their seals. You could try to find replacement seals or if you are not too concerned with the looks, silicone the escutcheon to the tube on the valve body then tub and tile caulk to the shower wall. Another common leak is from the valve stem itself, quite often it will run back and behind all the trim leaking behind the tub. The fix for that is a new cartridge.

[shulta44]

Thanks CM. I am quickly getting that impression about american standard. I also have a handheld in the shower and I had to replace the mixing valve because it wouldn't stop dripping. At least the cartridges are free, you just have to call them with the model. I am trying to keep the trim plate as clean as possible and not mess it up with the silicone.
Thanks

[cm5838]

I have been a plumber now for 16 years, I only install moen or delta valves, and lean heavily on the moen. There are other quality brands, but getting parts for them can be a bear sometimes.

[hkstroud]

I get no leaks until I take a shower and I get no leaks until the water runs down the wall to the plate.

I get the impression that you have water running down the inside of the wall and comes out around the valve escutcheon.

Either that or you are simply find water inside the wall around the valve.

Is that correct?

[shulta44]

Yes water running down the inside of the wall. Yesterday I pulled the face plate and on the backside you can see where the water builds up and then eventually makes it way threw the escutchen. So, since there is no gasket between the plate and handle I cut a small notch into the bottom edge of the face plate. Reinstalled, siliconed the top 2/3 of the face plate to the wall and siliconed where the plate and handle meet. No water this morning but I will keep an eye on it.
Thanks

[hkstroud]

Just to be clear, you have water coming down the inside wall from above the valve, not water coming in at the top of the escutcheon.
Is that correct?