A faulty shower valve can create problems that can affect your normal shower routine.
If you delay fixing a faulty valve you might end up facing consequences like huge water bills and cold showers.
Given below are the telltale signs that you might have a faulty shower valve.
1. You Experience Drips And Leaks
Drips and leaks can be quite annoying and they can worsen over time if ignored. A faulty shower valve is the most probable explanation for a leaky shower head.
The inner rubber seals of the valve can get worn out over time and don’t hold the water effectively. The other components of the faucet like the rubber gaskets and O rings can also experience wear and tear and this leads to water leaking through the valve.
This issue can be fixed by replacing the worn-out valve with a new one. You can either do this on your own or get the help of a plumber.
2. Problems With The Shower Handle
If you experience difficulty in turning the shower handle or the handle gets stuck often, it is usually the indicator of a faulty or misaligned valve. The following cases are possible,
- In some cases, mineral buildup can affect the screw mechanism of the handle which prevents it from functioning properly.
- If the problem is with the valve, it will need to be replaced. You might also have corrosion buildup inside the faucet.
- Sometimes your valve might be misaligned and will need to be loosened or tightened accordingly.
If you are doubtful about the issue you can ask your plumber to inspect and perform a shower repair if necessary.
3. Temperature Changes In Water
Temperature changes in water can be due to a number of reasons.
- It can be due to mineral buildup in the showerhead which can be fixed by simply cleaning the showerhead.
- There might be a problem with your shower cartridge which will require you to get it replaced.
- A malfunctioning water heater can also be the cause of fluctuations in water temperature.
However, in the majority of cases, it is due to a faulty mixing valve. If your mixing valve is worn out, it can fail to control the water temperature properly and you will notice fluctuations in the supply of hot water. Sometimes you might even fail to receive any hot water and receive cold water instead.
4. Low Water Pressure
One of the most common reasons for low water pressure in the shower is a worn-out mixing valve. A worn-out mixing valve will not only cause temperature fluctuations in water but can also throw off the water pressure.
Problems with thermostatic shower valves will also affect the amount of water that comes out of the showerhead.
Old and faulty valves often suffer from corrosion which blocks the proper flow of water. If your shower head is accumulated with sediments, cleaning it might solve the low water pressure problem.
However, problems with mixing valves can be quite tricky to fix and are best left in the hands of an experienced plumber.
5. Water Comes Out Of The Spout
If you experience water coming out from the showerhead and spout at the same time, you might have a faulty valve or it might be installed upside down.
If the distance between the valve and spout is too big, it can cause the water to travel upward out of the shower. You can ask a plumber to check whether the shower valve is installed correctly.
Conclusion
If you are unable to fix the above problems on your own, you should contact an experienced plumber who will tell you what exactly is wrong. It is better to treat minor problems in the beginning before it gets worse because you will end up having to pay a lot of extra money.
