by "Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
Published 08/26/2017 at 08:47
by "Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
Published 08/26/2017 at 08:47
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Need some advice.
My mom managed to break her shower knob stem. The thing thats behind the knob that controls the water flow.
Ive got the knob off, the water off and im at the point where I can just take off the pipe that leads to it.
Id replace the stem but its an old shower knob stem. So its hard to find a replacement.
Its 1 knob that controls hot/cold water. Is this something a pro should do, or since Ive already got it all taken apart, I should just finish it up.
I already had some teflon tape, caulk and gun.(she has a metal plate thing around her knob)
I was going to take the pipe that runs out to the stem and knob and to try to find a replacement.
This isnt the first time shes done it either. She treats her shower knob like a handle getting out of the shower.
This is just the first time Ive taken care of it.
Edit: i hope you can figure out what im talking about. She only has 1 knob for hot ans cold. The plastic stem behind the knob is broke and I doubt Ill find a replacement. So i was just going to take the pipe that leads to it off and take it to home depot and find a new one.
"Rust and Dust - Oppositelock Forever" (rustanddust)
08/26/2017 at 09:16, STARS: 0
I’m not a plumber, but I’ve played one on TV.
What you’re looking for is called a cartridge, if I’m not mistaken. It may be an old fixture, but hardware stores/plumbing supply stores usually carry the service parts for old fixtures.
I’d try to remove the cartridge itself, and see if you can have it matched up, and spend the extra money on a proper grab handle :)
"vondon302" (vondon302)
08/26/2017 at 09:29, STARS: 0
Need a picture but yeah I think it’s a called a cartridge. On a side note those suction cup handles work surprisingly well.
"Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
08/26/2017 at 09:46, STARS: 0
Yea didnt know what its called. Ill try to take the cartridge out and see.
If not the pipe is coming off and ill drag the whole thing down to Home.Depot.
"Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
08/26/2017 at 09:47, STARS: 0
Might try the handle.
Someone else said its a cartridge. Ill see if thats replaceable.
"cbell04" (cbell04)
08/26/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 0
People are calling it the cartridge but I’m 99% sure the cartridge slides into a housing and that sounds like it’s broken not just the cartridge itself but the metal or plastic stem that holds the cartridge and also supports the handle. That will be unlikely to be replaced. The shower hot/cold diverter (the thing that is snapped) is more than likely soldered on to copper pipes behind the wall. Depending on access this could be a dyi fix with some YouTube instructional videos as helpers. None of it is that difficult but it would be a somewhat difficult fix for the 1st timer or faint of heart. That said when it all gets repaired buy her a saftey handle from the hardware store to assist in and out. Some you drill in some you just suction to the wall but they can hold her weight as she hops in and out better.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
08/26/2017 at 09:53, STARS: 0
Yes it is a cartridge and, if removable, try to find its replacement first before replacing the the whole valve assembly.
Otherwise, replacing an assy isn’t too hard. Delta makes a nice one with easily replaceable cartridges and screw valves, so next time she breaks it you don’t have to shut the main off to replace the cart.
"Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
08/26/2017 at 09:57, STARS: 0
No metal damage. Just plastic.
Thing thing im speaking about, is what you screw your knob onto. Its a plastic stem that takes the long screw that holds the knob.
I dont think I gotta get that far into it though. I took all the stuff off to try to figure out if I needed any additional stuff or not. Wanted to make sure it was fixed and not some other issue.
"Katsumoto" (katsumoto)
08/26/2017 at 10:01, STARS: 0
I didnt shut the main off. Just the shower lines.
Theres a closet on the other side with an access panel to the shower pipes and valves.
I just turned the shower valves off and ran it til it ran out. It doesnt have water in it, so i should be fine.
Way back in the day my grandpa did a big remodel on this house(his first house) and added access panels to almost every thing. So if he had an issue it was a simple fix and not tearing up drywall to get to it.
"Nibbles" (nibbles)
08/26/2017 at 10:14, STARS: 0
Nice, that makes life easier
I wasn’t saying that you did shut off the main, was just telling of the valve body’s merits is all
I installed two of them in my master shower and couldn’t be happier