Valve Repair Or Replacement
How Will I Know if My Valve in My Shower Needs to be Replaced or if It Can Be Repaired?
A leaky faucet, sink, bathtub, or shower valve can cost you a lot of money over the course of just a few days. Even a single, small water leak can waste up to 300 gallons of water in a month. If you have two or more leaks, it’s easy to see how this can add up quickly. One of the most common plumbing problems that need immediate attention is a leaking shower faucet.
Don’t trust your shower repairs to just anyone. Call us at Liberty Plumbing and Septic for all your plumbing needs, including faucet, sink, tub and shower repair and replacement needs.
Why a Shower Valve Leaks
A shower valve may be on the exterior or interior of the wall. Unfortunately, many of the exterior valves are often used as “handles” for people getting in and out of the bath. Not only can this lead to leaks, it could pose a safety hazard if one part of it gets hot from the hot water. Interior valves are safer, but there are some exterior valves that have cold water flowing around the hot water lines for safety.
There are a number of reasons why the valve may leak. For example, if it is an older shower valve, it might have deteriorated to a point where the metal is actually crumbling. Other reasons for a leak in the shower might include a connection between the shower head and the water line has loosened. Sometimes, there is a defect in the shower valve that results in a leak. A skilled plumber will quickly be able to diagnose the problem.
Another problem that is quite common with showers with a tub is that the shower will not turn on. This is normally a problem with the shower diverter, which allows the water that generally flows from the tub faucet to be diverted to the showerhead. This is generally a simple repair and your entire shower valve system will not have to be replaced.
How Long Will My Water Be Shut Off?
The water can be shut off at the main lines to the shower, in most cases. An exception might be where the only shutoff for the bathroom controls the sink and the shower or tub. However, this is not common anymore. An experienced plumber will take just a couple of hours to do a complete shower valve replacement with the right plumbing supplies.
When Is Replacement Necessary?
It is necessary to replace a shower valve when there is obvious damage to one or more pieces. However, if it is simply a connection problem, sometimes this can be repaired with a new part. Entire shower replacements are usually done during bathroom remodeling or when you want the latest and greatest shower heads.