Real Estate Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2009 · 308 posts · 61 votes
Basic tub/shower spigot starting dripping when off. Had to hire plumber to help replace handle cartridge. Mid 80's model and very tedious to fix. Took plumber 2 hours. Cost $300. Called around and this seemed normal.
New tenant is still complaining the water is dripping when turned off.
My next option is to replace the shower valve behind the wall. Behind the wall is the mirror footprint of the other duplex ie the other tub/shower. The tub/shower is the basic one piece shower tub shroud. So will need to get behind this to replace shower valve.
Not exactly the same, but I just paid $575 to replace a Delta single handle control valve for a tub/shower. Plumber had to cut an access panel in the opposite sheetrock wall, fortunately in a closet.
Shower valves come with a fairly sizable escutcheon. 6" diameter or so, IIRC (I have one on the shelf at home, hopefully to be installed in the next day or two.) What kind of pipe supplies the existing valve? If its galvanized, you're probably going to have to do a bunch of demo to get the valve out. But if its copper, CPVC or PEX, you may be able to install the new one through its hole and have the escutcheon cover everything up. This is a case where the sharkbite fittings are life savers.
Maybe it's the shower diverter; the water gets into the pipe above the valve connecting to the shower head, but then the diverter lets it drip out when the water pressure is off.
I was recently quoted 450 to replace a shower valve. That did not include the demo and rebuild of the wall to gain access - just replacing the valve.
Actual cost of materials to replace the valve and redo the wall was 250 in my case and I decided to do it myself. Replacing the valve was the easiest part of the project.
To replace the valve if unable to go in behind the wall the whole shower shell/shroud has to be removed? There cant be a hole cut and patched on the shroud to gain access to the valve?
The biggest problem with replacing shower valves is access. Sometimes, the copper pipes come through a stud or several studs, and you simply cannot even wiggle the valve or have enough of a pipe stub left after cutting out the old valve to attach the new one. In those situations (which are more common than you may think), the only solution is to demo a big enough hole to cut studs or any other obstacle. After the new valve is installed, you are faced with trying to match existing tile or trying to patch fiberglass.
Home Depot, and I'm sure other places, has a remodel escutcheon that is basically a big chrome plate to go over the valve and hide the hole in the shower. Looks lame, but is a cheap fix if you don't want to replace the whole wall.
This is what it is: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-Shower-Renovation-Cover-Plate-in-Stainless-RP29827SS/203722677#.UbTmyPnU-n8
Hope this helps you understand the reason behind so much work.
The best way to replace these is to cut the pipes out and then replace with PEX. Whether it's copper or galvanized, I cut it all out, replace the valve, and redo the plumbing in PEX. It's not that hard. The worst part is usually getting the pipe out that goes to the showerhead. If the top of the showerhead pipe is fasten to the stud, you need to cut part of the drywall out to get to it. If not, you can just unscred it from the top of the valve and screw it into the new valve.
Most showers have an access panel behind. If not, you should put one in while you're doing the job. You never know when you will need it in the future.
Called another plumber today. He fixed the cartridge and the drip stopped. The first plumber did not install the set springs correct and the cartridge was not perfectly aligned. Should I call let him know and ask for my money back? He charged $300.
The new second plumber only charged $90 and took only (20mins) 1.5hrs less.
It would scare me to death paying this kind of money for simple plumbing.
Monday night I got a call about the bath tub not shutting off, only half way. Ran over there within the hour and replaced the Moen cartridge with a spare I keep in my truck. $18 at the plumbing supply house.
Moen parts are free from Moen ... when under warranty, and some faucets of theirs are lifetime warranty in your own home (shorter warranty in a rental).
Moen parts are free from Moen ... when under warranty, and some faucets of theirs are lifetime warranty in your own home (shorter warranty in a rental).
Glacier Bay will ship you all of the free parts that you want. You need the model number. Helps if you have the HD SKU number too.
Some of the parts will also work in a Delta, so it's a good way to get free parts.