Opening a Shower Panel

[ThistleThorne]

Hi all, I’m just looking for some help in opening a one-piece shower panel to access the plumbing behind. There is no name on the panel in the house we purchased. I thought I’d come here for some help. The removable shower head has stopped working and I need to get in behind to see what’s going on. I’ve attached a couple of pictures to help.

Please let me know if you can help me to get the unit apart and see what’s going on behind.

Thank you.

TT

 

[Jeff Handy]

EDIT I deleted my previous crabby post.
Sorry for being grouchy.

 

[havasu]

I had one of those shower systems before replacing with a conventional Moen shower valve. You can dissect those panels by removing the side screws and work your way all around it. I'm guessing a lock rink has come lose from the diverter valve, which is an easy fix.

 

[ThistleThorne]

I had one of those shower systems before replacing with a conventional Moen shower valve. You can dissect those panels by removing the side screws and work your way all around it. I'm guessing a lock rink has come lose from the diverter valve, which is an easy fix.

Thank you for the response! I thought it would be as easy as removing screws but alas there don’t seem to be any around the outside at all which makes me wonder if it is a ‘snap in place’ setup or has something to do with the small hole in the bottom. I’ll examine closely again tonight to see if I missed anything. Thanks again!

 

[Jeff Handy]

The panel cover might just lift up and off, or it could just be a pressure fit.

But first, it looks like you will have to take off every spray head and every knob on the whole thing.

I think the hand shower can stay attached, because it looks like the bottom base will remain when the cover comes off.

 

[Jeff Handy]

There might be a clogged flow restrictor or filter screen or check valve, that is blocking flow to the hand shower.
The blockage might be at either end of the hose, or inside the hand piece itself.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Start at the connection at the bottom, where the hose exits.

Use two wrenches, use a very thin one on the nut right under the base of the tower.
Don’t let that nut move, hold it in place while you unscrew the big nut that connects the hose.

There is likely a clog or debris right there.
Or the little check valve in there is clogged or gone bad.
Or something is clogged at the other end, by the hand piece.

When you take off the hose from the bottom, turn on the water to the hand shower, and see if water flows well from that little threaded stub at the bottom.
If it does, you are on your way to a solution.

If water flows well from there, and you can’t find a clog in the hand shower, you can buy a new hand shower for $30.00 and up.

You might need an adaptor to fit it onto your threaded fitting.

 

[ThistleThorne]

Thank you for the help! Hopefully that will do the trick and I won’t have to open up the entire unit. If it doesn’t, I’ll figure out a way to get the cover off the unit.

I won’t be able to deal with it until after Christmas as I’m out of town. but I’ll let you know how it goes when I get a chance to try it out.

Thanks again.
TT