New to forum - question about an odd shower leak

[christopherkolbash]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and had a question about an odd shower leak I've been noticing in both of my showers on the main floor of my house. One shower is a tub/shower combo, the other is a shower only. Both use Delta hardware. They both exhibit the same problem which is, at random times you will hear a "glug glug" sound and a small bit of water will drain from the shower head (in shower only bathroom) and tub faucet (tub/shower combo). Sometimes it occurs right after water is used elsewhere in the house, sometimes not. It is not a constant drip. It is completely random and can occur hours, even days after the shower was last used.

I've addressed this problem by calling Delta, who suggested replacing the seats and springs. The tub/shower combo is an old 600 series, so I replaced the cam and packing and the seats and springs. Still the glug/glug random drip continues. I am thinking of changing the diverter valve and the ball in the hopes that will cure the problem. The other shower is a 1700 series, but I haven't replaced any parts on it yet.

Any ideas? All other faucets and the shower in the basement are dry and none do the glug-glug drip. I'd say I'm only losing a few ounces a day, but it is an annoyance.

Any chance this is not faucet related and is a pressure problem?

Any help and/or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[LiQuId]

Thermal expansion,
add an expansion tank to your potable water line.

what ( it sounds like ) is happening is that after you use the fixture the hot water tank is heating and expanding the water in the tank, since it cant be contained it has to bleed pressure somewhere which is often the tub or shower as you describe, this can happen at any time and often wakes people who are light sleepers when it happens on their on suite bathroom at 3 am
\

hope this helps m

[christopherkolbash]

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

How much does something like that cost and is it something that can be done DIY?

[LiQuId]

Price varies on location and supplier, I would be safe to say under $200 for sure ( unless yuou get the ultra expensive model ) and likely less than $100, it depends on the size of the hot water tank to properly size.

DIY? possiblle, if a pipe burst in your house right now would you know how to turn the water off ?? can you solder ?

if you answered no to either of these questions I would reccomend not doing it yourself.

also when looking be aware that you need to find one that is rated for Potablle water , this is important.

If you were to hire it would be a good guestimate where ever you are located that this should cost no more than $300 parts and labour.. again depending on the model you chose.

[christopherkolbash]

We've owned several homes and none have had a thermal expansion tank. Is it a normal item to have installed? Would a pressure relief valve on the hot water tank handle the same issue?

[LiQuId]

no, not if its expansion.

Remember that I have not investigated your home myself and can only offer insight as to what I've read.

What type of hot water tank do you have? it is normal to intstall on newer homes or ones with high efficiant hwt's as they are more efficiant and heat the water faster. it is not always done.

your hot water tank already has a built in temp and pressure relief valve, and installing a pressure only releif valve would cause the discharge of hot water, and would not effectively solve the problem