Shower and tub valves sit inside the wall, which makes them seem like a bigger job than they usually are. Most problems are a worn cartridge or seal that can be replaced from the front, through the trim plate, without opening the wall.
Common shower and tub problems
- Showerhead or tub spout drips after it's turned off: a worn cartridge or washers.
- Water still comes out of the tub spout with the shower on: a failed diverter.
- Temperature swings when someone flushes a toilet: the pressure-balance part of the cartridge is sticking.
- Can't get it hot enough: the rotational limit stop needs adjusting, or the cartridge is worn.
- Handle stiff or hard to turn: scale inside the valve.
- Low flow from the showerhead: a clogged showerhead or flow restrictor.
Well water and shower valves
Pressure-balance cartridges have small moving parts that are sensitive to scale and grit. On well water, which most Powhatan homes use, they can start sticking sooner than on treated water, which shows up as temperature swings or a handle that gets stiff. Cleaning or replacing the cartridge usually solves it.
How it's repaired
The water is shut off, the trim and handle are removed, and the cartridge or stems are taken out. Worn parts are replaced with the matching ones for the valve brand, the diverter is repaired or the tub spout replaced, and the showerhead is cleaned. The valve is tested for temperature, flow and drips before the trim goes back on.
If the valve body itself is corroded or parts are no longer available, replacing the valve means opening the wall. That will be explained before any work starts.
For sink drips, see bathroom faucet repair or leaking faucet repair. If the shower is weak everywhere in the house, read low water pressure at the faucet.
Call for a quote on faucet repair for your shower or tub.
How it works
- 1
Diagnose
Drip, diverter, temperature or flow: the fault confirmed.
- 2
Access the valve
Trim and handle off; no wall opening needed in most cases.
- 3
Replace parts
Cartridge, stems, seals or diverter replaced.
- 4
Test
Temperature, flow and drips checked before trim goes back.