Shower valve issue.

[Robert Jones]

Plumbing guru's a question. The handheld shower on the right, began making a God awful "screaming" noise last night and eventually, the water just shut's off. A little bit of vibration right before the water shut's off. Copper plumbing. Is it an issue with the valve? The valve on the left, for the rain head, work's normal.

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[Jim Katen]

Perhaps it's a problem with the pressure-balancing feature of the valve. The valve equalizes the pressure between the hot and cold inlets. If you loose pressure on one side of the inlet, you lose it on both sides of the outlet. You might have an obstruction on the hot or cold inlet.

Or it could be too many apostrophes.

[mjr6550]

As flow is restricted the velocity increases, which would explain the noise and the vibration. I am also suspect a stuck valve.

Although not the same issue, I have found not hot water flow at a couple of vacant houses with pressure compensating faucets.

[Robert Jones]

Is that like too much cowbell? Thanks for the reply.

Perhaps it's a problem with the pressure-balancing feature of the valve. The valve equalizes the pressure between the hot and cold inlets. If you loose pressure on one side of the inlet, you lose it on both sides of the outlet. You might have an obstruction on the hot or cold inlet.

Or it could be too many apostrophes.

[John Kogel]

Hey Robert, since you are asking, it might be time to call in a favor from a plumber.

The valve needs surgery.

And don't y'all let Mycroft the literary critic spoil y'our day, either. []

[kurt]

Try pullin' the stems, if'n you've got the time 'er inclination. Pret'n near right that you've got some's stuff'n in the valves.

[Rob Amaral]

Was the shower valve not in use for a long period? I find problems with anti-scald valves in bathrooms where the house is either vacant a long time or in bathrooms not used much..

[Nolan Kienitz]

Quite often I find the single-control valves in vacant homes will not let hot water flow. Of course depends on many things: brand of valve (some not as good as others) and how long has the S/C valve not been used.

Plumbers I've talked to about this say the cartridge needs to be replaced. As noted, some brands seem to be more at risk than others, but I've never put down the names for my files.

I found two last week and they were in occupied homes, but in a bathroom that was seldom ever used.

[kurt]

There's not much to wrong other than the cartridge/stem. They usually get crudded up even when used. If there are any stray bits of crap in the system, they'll jam it up.

[mlparham]

Plumbing guru's a question. The handheld shower on the right, began making a God awful "screaming" noise last night and eventually, the water just shut's off. A little bit of vibration right before the water shut's off. Copper plumbing. Is it an issue with the valve? The valve on the left, for the rain head, work's normal.

Click to Enlarge

32.07 KB

Would you like this issue fixed in 30 seconds? Then write a check to a plumber. Sorry dude, get it fixed.

[Robert Jones]

No need to apologize Morgan, I fixed it.

[mlparham]

No need to apologize Morgan, I fixed it.

Awesome. What did you fix?

[Robert Jones]

I replaced the stem/valve.