<h1 class="subject">We have a plumbing problem with our shower faucets- how can we fix them?</h1>

Our house was built in 1968 and our most recent remodel was a few years ago. We retiled our shower ( professionally ) and also had them install new faucets. Since then we have started having problems and it has progressively gotten worse. The cold water faucet seems fine ( hard to tell because we have a water saver showerhead ) but the hot water is barely turned on to get a warm shower. It's almost off- when you turn if off, it doesn't even seem like you are actually turning it, it's so slight. My husband said he has the parts to fix it, but he hates plumbing, and dreads taking it apart, that he won't be able to fix it and it'll only be worse, or create more problems. Anyone know what might be going on with the faucets?

it might be the hot water line itself. how it the water pressure of the rest of the hot water faucets in the house? Calcium could be to blame. I suggest you husband take it apart and replace a few washers and gaskets, just make sure NOT TO FORCE ANYTHING. And use channel lock pliers to do the repair, not just a pair of needle nose pliers. good luck.

the hot water stem may be "bad", but if it doesn't leak and you get hot water I wouldn't worry about it.

How old is your water heater? I have seen it where the installer of the water heater did not use dielectric nipples or unions and calcium starts to build up right at that joint. Calcium also builds up on the bottom of the water heater and breaks loose after a while. Thats why you are supposed to flush them once a year. It may be just a coincidence that it happend after the remodel. Calcium can also build up any where down the hot water line. It can possibly plug the valve on the hot water side of the shower.

Just another thing you might want to check.

Not knowing the manufacturer makes things difficult. If it was a Moen shower faucet, you could simply replace the cartridge on the hot water side. However, replacing a tub faucet assembly isn't rocket science. Usually the biggest problem is that there is no access to the faucet, in which case you have to cut out an access panel. Once you have access, you have 3 connections - the hot/cold supply lines and the shower stand-pipe. Piping size is normally standardized, so that shouldn't be a problem. Purchase a unit with the same "centers" as your old unit so that no holes will have to be recut. Turn off the main water supply and drain the assembly and disconnect it. Reconnect the hot/cold supplies, and the shower stand-pipe to the new unit, install the supplied escutcheon plates, and you're finished. Check for leaks, tighten as required. It's a typical Saturday morning job, as long as you have access to the shower assembly, it's not difficult.

Sounds to me like a defective product. you should lookup the maker online and find out their contact phone number and call them. They should be able to lead you through the fix, or send you a new one, as was our case with a defective product. We use Delta or Peerless (same company) and are great to work with. Great product too, though a little more expensive than most, you really do get what you pay for. You might as well get a quality product that will last a lifetime, than get a cheap product for a cheap price that you ends up being a pain in the tuckus! thats just one mans oppinion , but one I've have to earn the hard way--from 45 years experience. Hope this helps, Greg

Yes!! Let your husband know that he is incapable of fixing the thing and you are going to call a high priced professional plumber, but if he can fix it by this week end, then you will treat him to dinner and rent a room with a swimming pool and hot tub in the hotel in town and you both can have a wonderful week end. One way or the other it will get done.