Shower stem issue

[stryker221982]

I have an older shower which has three stems to control, hot water, cold water and the diverter between tub and shower. It seems like once a year i have to replace the stems because water will start to drip and eventually start to run.

My question: Is it normal to have to replace these stems or washers every year. Do they make something of better quality that will not wear out over time. Is there any retro fit to change up the system at all without ripping all the time and wallboard down? Any help would be great.

 

[SlowDrip]

if you have to replace the stems so much, your seats are probably worn or burred. The seat is the part of the faucet that the stem seals against and if it is flawed it will quickly wear away the stem washers.

In most three handle systems, the seats are removable with a seat wrench. Take a stem out and look inside the hole with a flashlight, if it looks something like the top of this then you can remove and replace it.

This means this:

Alternately, you can tell us the make of the shower and we might have more info on the construction of it. Or, you know, pictures.

 

[stryker221982]

if you have to replace the stems so much, your seats are probably worn or burred. The seat is the part of the faucet that the stem seals against and if it is flawed it will quickly wear away the stem washers.

In most three handle systems, the seats are removable with a seat wrench. Take a stem out and look inside the hole with a flashlight, if it looks something like the top of this then you can remove and replace it.

This means this:

Alternately, you can tell us the make of the shower and we might have more info on the construction of it. Or, you know, pictures.

the seats you are referring to were replaced last year along with the new stems, everything came in a repair kit, they were a pita to get out as they were prolly original to the shower itself and were corroded in. it took a dremel to grind out the old ones, i have no clue the make of the shower as it is prolly the original hardware dating back to 1964, while its not to hard to replace these when they go bad its just a hassle to do it every year and then having to reseal everything back up when your done, just dont understand why they only seem to last a year

 

[SlowDrip]

Hrm, new seats and stems should last quite a while. Can you tell what part of the stem is leaking? the most common issue is with the washer on the bottom (usually flat, sometimes beveled) but it could also be the O-rings. look for damage on these rubber parts, which will indicate where the actual issue is.

Also, is it BOTH stems or just one? It is odd for both stems to go at the same time.

Lastly, in certain areas high chlorine content or hard water can play havok on cartridges and cause the rubber to break down quickly. If this was the case in your area you would be replacing your toilet flap frequently as well (unless you have the new style rubber which is usually red or blue).

 

[stryker221982]

Hrm, new seats and stems should last quite a while. Can you tell what part of the stem is leaking? the most common issue is with the washer on the bottom (usually flat, sometimes beveled) but it could also be the O-rings. look for damage on these rubber parts, which will indicate where the actual issue is.

Also, is it BOTH stems or just one? It is odd for both stems to go at the same time.

Lastly, in certain areas high chlorine content or hard water can play havok on cartridges and cause the rubber to break down quickly. If this was the case in your area you would be replacing your toilet flap frequently as well (unless you have the new style rubber which is usually red or blue).

In the past when they have started to leak it was always the rubber washer on the end of the stem that had either worn out, broken off, or even one time the screw holding it on had backed out.

the last time i replaced the stems I also but the tool to replace the seats because they looked to be very old. they were so corroded in there that they would budge and ended up stripping out the center hole so I had to use a dremel to grind them loose. after that the new seats went in like they were supposed to and i figured i had the problem fixed.

here we are a little over a year now and the hot water stem is starting to drip. it always seems to start with the hot water first and then eventually the cold water will start to leak.

been in the house over 6 years now bought a brand new toilet when i moved in and have had any problems with that or any other water source in the house other then these darn stems, which ill be going on my 5th set now

 

[havasu]

Is the screw in washer coming lose at all? If this isn't happening, I would inspect for burrs in the seats by a defective seat installer. Those seats should last you several years, unless you are sending sandy or calcified water thru the valve. A quick question....have you flushed your hot water tank recently? There might be an accumulation of sand, scale and calcium build up that is prematurely destroying the washers against the seats.

 

[SlowDrip]

I'm still leaning towards a seat issue. A burr or chip on the seat will wear down the washer quite rapidly. It is possible that last time you put seats the hot one was damaged.

 

[stryker221982]

I'm still leaning towards a seat issue. A burr or chip on the seat will wear down the washer quite rapidly. It is possible that last time you put seats the hot one was damaged.

little update here, tore everything apart both the washers on the hot and cold were pretty worn out. the seats on the other hand were smooth and bur free. i did install new washers and seats so we will see how long these ones last.

I have never drained the hot water heater but i do live in the city and use there water. but i can try draining it if you think it might help down the road.

 

[havasu]

Draining the water heater occasionally is good preventative maintainance to make it last as long as possible. I use to drain mine at least every year or so, until I replaced it with a tankless style.

 

[stryker221982]

Draining the water heater occasionally is good preventative maintainance to make it last as long as possible. I use to drain mine at least every year or so, until I replaced it with a tankless style.

I have been considering a tankless one for awhile but everyone seems to be so torn on the issue. you got the people who love them and wouldnt live without them and then you got the people who say its the worst thing they have every bought. the water heater i have now is an older 40ga 30000btu hotpoint which prolly worked fine for the last owner (single older lady) but now whe we have 3 adults having to take a shower this thing just isnt cutting it.

i am considering a 50ga 42000btu GE heater which is made by Rheem has great reviews

 

[SlowDrip]

I honestly think that most people that have issues with their tankless heaters probably purchased the wrong one for their situation. The other issue with them is getting them installed properly, which apparently most plumbers can't handle.

 

[havasu]

I honestly think that most people that have issues with their tankless heaters probably purchased the wrong one for their situation. The other issue with them is getting them installed properly, which apparently most plumbers can't handle.

^ This....and with a properly installed recirculation system, provided your tankless has one.

 

[stryker221982]

Sorry to bring this topic up again but I have another question for the pro's on this stem setup. Having an issue with temperature control with these stems. Seems I can have the hot stem all the way open and ill get hot water. With just the cold being turned just a little bit i lose all my hot water. Its like the hot and cold are not mixing correctly and the cold is over powering the hot so much its hard to find that sweet spot.

Any ideas what could be causing this to be so one sided towards the cold?