Leaky shower head

We have recently remodeled our shower. A new shower valve and assembly was installed. No leaks were noted. However after our first shower, we noticed water would leak from shower head whenever there was water on elsewhere in the house- sprinklers, toilet, washer. The amount of water is significant. Maybe a 1/4 cup per toilet flush, more if the water is running longer, like for the sprinklers.

I took the valve assembly out to look for damage but did not notice anything out of the ordinary. I reinstalled and there was no leak with water running. Then the shower was used again and the leak returned. I took the assembly apart again, added a little grease to the O rings and re-assembled. The problem persists still.

Can someone help please??

Thanks
Steve

 

I can't explain exactly why, but I had a similar issue that I recently fixed.

Had a typical chrome shower arm coming out of the wall with a typical lower flow inexpensive head. After every shower...it would trickle drip drip drip for quite a long time after use ended. Annoying as heck! Also, any time water was used in the adjacent bath (shower or toilet, or even sink) it would trickle drip drip drip again when that water was shut off.

I was finally fed up and after trying to tilt the head up, down, and sideways to make a difference, I finally just decided to put one of those articulated extensions on the existing shower arm to extend the head out nearer the drain and at least onto the mat so it wouldn't make as much noise as hitting the molded fiberglass seat. Job done and voila! No more drip or trickle no matter what water usage elsewhere. I did add one of those push type flow reducers for use during the shower, but it is fully open most of the time so has no effect I could think of.

As I said...I don't know what the original cause was (bad arm/head geometry holding a large amount of water in a vacuum allowing drips as that air seal varied slightly?). If possible, I would try tilting your shower head first to see if that affects it at all. Do you know what your water pressure is? City or well? Pressure regulating valve? Bladder tank? I highly doubt the shower valve is the root cause of your issue. Can you put a gauge on your supply and see how it varies when water use starts and ends?

 

City water. Don't know static pressure or flowing pressure. I ordered a new pressure balancer cartridge. Seems silly for a brand new valve but its only $15, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

The arm extension won't do. Everything is new, where we want it and looks how we want it.

If anyone else has ideas, I'd love to hear them

Thanks

 

I didn't mean to change stuff, nor did I think you would consider it...just saying that even though everything is working as it should...for some reason, stuff doesn't always act the way you expect.

I'd really consider getting a gauge to check pressures. Around $10 at most hardware stores or home centers. They normally come with a hose thread for attachment to an outside hose bib or washing machine hookup. With adapters it can be used on many faucets and showers as well. I believe some have telltales, but those aren't as common.

If you are on city water you may indeed have a PRV that is faulty/dirty and not working correctly. Of course a bladder expansion tank you would know right away and can check easily.

The gauge will allow you to troubleshoot more effectively. Remember though...often exterior hose bibs are installed BEFORE any pressure control devices...so just connecting to that may not be indicative of potable water pressures in the home.

 

Guaranteed there is no PRV. Whole house was re-plumbed. We did not install one. Which would lead me to ask, why would I need one just for this shower valve/head? We remodeled other bathroom last year with new everything and we are not having problems there. Same with kitchen remodel two years ago. Nothing else is leaking.

Very strange.

 

Well, see now you've added info. I really don't know the answer and hope your part solves the problem...but it certainly is odd. Not a plumber, actually hate plumbing work and would rather have a tooth pulled most times, but I do know that sometimes everything just adds up badly and one specific item can have issues, even when everything SHOULD be fine.

Let us know if it helps....

 

I just finished a bathroom remodel a couple months ago. The plumbers work on the shower fixtures was delayed... because the brand new shower valves leaked when he installed them and he had to get new ones.

just saying, it happens.

Maybe your problem is similar and has something to do with a drop in pressure on the water lines. When they dribble constantly, (sprinkler system) turn the hot water on until it runs hot, then shut it off again... let it drain a while then feel any water that continues dribbling out 5 or 10 minutes later... is it still warm or is it cold again? Might tell you which valve is the problem.

 

Thanks for your replies. Also forgot to mention this is a single handle control, so while I can attempt your troubleshoot, Xsleeper, I don't know that it will matter since there is only 1 valve.

 

New cartridge solved problem. Thanks

 

Nice job.

thanks for posting back... the suspense was killing us!