Broken shower problem

[Anonymous]

For years now one of our showers has been broken. I've had at least 3 plumbers out to look at it and each time they will take my money to come and diagnose what they think is wrong (but no one has opened the drywall behind the shower) and none of the three have followed through with ordering the part to fix the shower and returning to do the work. I even had a handyman look at it, but he wasn't a plumber. At this point I'd like to replace all the shower hardware, but with the same stuff so I don't have to tear out the whole shower, but I'm not confident I know exactly what to order and the brand is expensive.

What do I do and who do I call? I really want someone to follow through and help me get this shower functioning again, but I'm tired of paying diagonstic fees and being ghosted afterward.

[Anonymous]

what about it is broken?

[Anonymous]

Usually shower hardware is sold in two parts, the valves that go inside the wall and the trim. The valve inside the wall should be designed and installed so that any parts that can wear out can be replaced.

What is probably causing everyone to ghost you is they can't find the parts. I find it's worth it to buy an entire new valve, take all of the innards out of it and replace everything that is replaceable in the valve in the wall. Then discard the housing. That's easier than trying to buy the parts individually.

You'll probably do better if you have the replacement valve on hand when you call someone in. I would try to order a new valve.

If it turns out the valve isn't available any more than you're going to have to break open the wall and replace the entire valve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually shower hardware is sold in two parts, the valves that go inside the wall and the trim. The valve inside the wall should be designed and installed so that any parts that can wear out can be replaced.

What is probably causing everyone to ghost you is they can't find the parts. I find it's worth it to buy an entire new valve, take all of the innards out of it and replace everything that is replaceable in the valve in the wall. Then discard the housing. That's easier than trying to buy the parts individually.

You'll probably do better if you have the replacement valve on hand when you call someone in. I would try to order a new valve.

If it turns out the valve isn't available any more than you're going to have to break open the wall and replace the entire valve.

This sounds familiar to conversations I've had with plumbers - either broken valves or mixer(? is that a thing?). The parts are available per the company, but it's Newport Brass and I feel like when I've called them there have been details I can't provide that matter in choosing the part to order. I told the last plumber to tell me what to order and I'd do it (after he'd already been to the house) and he said someone needed to open up the wall, but didn't offer to do it himself.

It's why I'm sort of to the point where I'm willing to throw money at it and replace the whole freaking thing - valves, trim, everything - if someone would agree to do the work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually shower hardware is sold in two parts, the valves that go inside the wall and the trim. The valve inside the wall should be designed and installed so that any parts that can wear out can be replaced.

What is probably causing everyone to ghost you is they can't find the parts. I find it's worth it to buy an entire new valve, take all of the innards out of it and replace everything that is replaceable in the valve in the wall. Then discard the housing. That's easier than trying to buy the parts individually.

You'll probably do better if you have the replacement valve on hand when you call someone in. I would try to order a new valve.

If it turns out the valve isn't available any more than you're going to have to break open the wall and replace the entire valve.

This sounds familiar to conversations I've had with plumbers - either broken valves or mixer(? is that a thing?). The parts are available per the company, but it's Newport Brass and I feel like when I've called them there have been details I can't provide that matter in choosing the part to order. I told the last plumber to tell me what to order and I'd do it (after he'd already been to the house) and he said someone needed to open up the wall, but didn't offer to do it himself.

It's why I'm sort of to the point where I'm willing to throw money at it and replace the whole freaking thing - valves, trim, everything - if someone would agree to do the work.

Adding: My thought process is if I buy everything all new then I don't have to worry about ordering the "right" replacement parts, but that crap is expensive and I don't want to move foward without an installer telling me they can do it. The existing trim is old and doesn't really look great anymore so I'm okay with changing it all out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually shower hardware is sold in two parts, the valves that go inside the wall and the trim. The valve inside the wall should be designed and installed so that any parts that can wear out can be replaced.

What is probably causing everyone to ghost you is they can't find the parts. I find it's worth it to buy an entire new valve, take all of the innards out of it and replace everything that is replaceable in the valve in the wall. Then discard the housing. That's easier than trying to buy the parts individually.

You'll probably do better if you have the replacement valve on hand when you call someone in. I would try to order a new valve.

If it turns out the valve isn't available any more than you're going to have to break open the wall and replace the entire valve.

This sounds familiar to conversations I've had with plumbers - either broken valves or mixer(? is that a thing?). The parts are available per the company, but it's Newport Brass and I feel like when I've called them there have been details I can't provide that matter in choosing the part to order. I told the last plumber to tell me what to order and I'd do it (after he'd already been to the house) and he said someone needed to open up the wall, but didn't offer to do it himself.

It's why I'm sort of to the point where I'm willing to throw money at it and replace the whole freaking thing - valves, trim, everything - if someone would agree to do the work.

Adding: My thought process is if I buy everything all new then I don't have to worry about ordering the "right" replacement parts, but that crap is expensive and I don't want to move foward without an installer telling me they can do it. The existing trim is old and doesn't really look great anymore so I'm okay with changing it all out.

The idea behind buying a whole replacement valve and stripping the parts from it is that you know you have all the parts. The valve is about $400-600 but you'd probably spend that ordering parts one at a time with no guarantee of success. You just need to figure out which one you have, link is: https://www.newportbrass.com/products/categories/04/tub--shower/17/valves/

Unless the housing is damaged you don't need to replace anything other than the innards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually shower hardware is sold in two parts, the valves that go inside the wall and the trim. The valve inside the wall should be designed and installed so that any parts that can wear out can be replaced.

What is probably causing everyone to ghost you is they can't find the parts. I find it's worth it to buy an entire new valve, take all of the innards out of it and replace everything that is replaceable in the valve in the wall. Then discard the housing. That's easier than trying to buy the parts individually.

You'll probably do better if you have the replacement valve on hand when you call someone in. I would try to order a new valve.

If it turns out the valve isn't available any more than you're going to have to break open the wall and replace the entire valve.

This sounds familiar to conversations I've had with plumbers - either broken valves or mixer(? is that a thing?). The parts are available per the company, but it's Newport Brass and I feel like when I've called them there have been details I can't provide that matter in choosing the part to order. I told the last plumber to tell me what to order and I'd do it (after he'd already been to the house) and he said someone needed to open up the wall, but didn't offer to do it himself.

It's why I'm sort of to the point where I'm willing to throw money at it and replace the whole freaking thing - valves, trim, everything - if someone would agree to do the work.

Adding: My thought process is if I buy everything all new then I don't have to worry about ordering the "right" replacement parts, but that crap is expensive and I don't want to move foward without an installer telling me they can do it. The existing trim is old and doesn't really look great anymore so I'm okay with changing it all out.

The idea behind buying a whole replacement valve and stripping the parts from it is that you know you have all the parts. The valve is about $400-600 but you'd probably spend that ordering parts one at a time with no guarantee of success. You just need to figure out which one you have, link is: https://www.newportbrass.com/products/categories/04/tub--shower/17/valves/

Unless the housing is damaged you don't need to replace anything other than the innards.

Yes, this is exactly where the wheels pop off the bus. I get to that link and I might as well be reading Greek. There is no access panel so I can’t see anything and Newport Brass hasn’t been helpful. The stuff is almost 20 years old so I am very okay with replacing it all. The finish doesn’t look good anymore and it has been broken for YEARS.

What am I missing when it comes to the plumbers I’ve connected with, why won’t anyone take my money and see the issue through? What do I need to say when I call the 5th person and ask for help?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually shower hardware is sold in two parts, the valves that go inside the wall and the trim. The valve inside the wall should be designed and installed so that any parts that can wear out can be replaced.

What is probably causing everyone to ghost you is they can't find the parts. I find it's worth it to buy an entire new valve, take all of the innards out of it and replace everything that is replaceable in the valve in the wall. Then discard the housing. That's easier than trying to buy the parts individually.

You'll probably do better if you have the replacement valve on hand when you call someone in. I would try to order a new valve.

If it turns out the valve isn't available any more than you're going to have to break open the wall and replace the entire valve.

This sounds familiar to conversations I've had with plumbers - either broken valves or mixer(? is that a thing?). The parts are available per the company, but it's Newport Brass and I feel like when I've called them there have been details I can't provide that matter in choosing the part to order. I told the last plumber to tell me what to order and I'd do it (after he'd already been to the house) and he said someone needed to open up the wall, but didn't offer to do it himself.

It's why I'm sort of to the point where I'm willing to throw money at it and replace the whole freaking thing - valves, trim, everything - if someone would agree to do the work.

Adding: My thought process is if I buy everything all new then I don't have to worry about ordering the "right" replacement parts, but that crap is expensive and I don't want to move foward without an installer telling me they can do it. The existing trim is old and doesn't really look great anymore so I'm okay with changing it all out.

The idea behind buying a whole replacement valve and stripping the parts from it is that you know you have all the parts. The valve is about $400-600 but you'd probably spend that ordering parts one at a time with no guarantee of success. You just need to figure out which one you have, link is: https://www.newportbrass.com/products/categories/04/tub--shower/17/valves/

Unless the housing is damaged you don't need to replace anything other than the innards.

Yes, this is exactly where the wheels pop off the bus. I get to that link and I might as well be reading Greek. There is no access panel so I can’t see anything and Newport Brass hasn’t been helpful. The stuff is almost 20 years old so I am very okay with replacing it all. The finish doesn’t look good anymore and it has been broken for YEARS.

What am I missing when it comes to the plumbers I’ve connected with, why won’t anyone take my money and see the issue through? What do I need to say when I call the 5th person and ask for help?

They don't want to be stuck ordering the parts, spending a few hours trying to figure out what parts you need, trying to get the manufacturer to sell them. In the best case they put the money down and wait a few weeks for the parts to arrive and hope you still want the work done. In the worst case they spend half a day on the phone and then don't get paid by you because they can't get the parts. It's not worth the hassle for them.

If you have the parts in hand it's going to be much easier to get someone to take the job. If you don't feel confident in your ability to order the parts you need to make that a separate job and hire someone just to do that for you.

[Anonymous]

Bummer.
Option 1: Tell the plumber to work on it till it works. Get a plumber recommendation (hard to come by). Tell them you will pay them after your first shower.

Option 2: This is a job for a dad. If your husband is too professional to do it, try your own dad, your FIL, an uncle, some gray-haired guy at your church. They would all love to play the hero here.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don't have advice for you, but I have a somewhat similar situation so I can relate. My shower isn't broken, but has a recurring drip. I have had a couple of plumbers do a temporary bandaid-like fix, but to completely repair it, my understanding is that they would have to totally rip out the tiles. Because, like you, I don't have an access panel. It's been frustrating. But mine at least is fixed for the time being so it's not dripping, and it is a rarely used shower. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thank you 15:43 for your candor. I've got one more plumber I'm going to connect with who worked on our house during a renovation. I'll offer him money up front to do the leg work and then pay him the rest when it's finished.

If anyone else pops in the thread with an idea/suggestion - I'm open to hearing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't have advice for you, but I have a somewhat similar situation so I can relate. My shower isn't broken, but has a recurring drip. I have had a couple of plumbers do a temporary bandaid-like fix, but to completely repair it, my understanding is that they would have to totally rip out the tiles. Because, like you, I don't have an access panel. It's been frustrating. But mine at least is fixed for the time being so it's not dripping, and it is a rarely used shower. Good luck!

Ugh, that's frustrating. I have the perfect spot for an access panel in the adjacent closet, but no one will agree to cut it. I have a handyman who can do it, but I'm afraid to take that step without the plumber lined up because I don't want a big hole in the wall that also needs fixing.

It's so ridiculous, but I'm seriously contemplating just renovating the whole bathroom. My DH will have a heart attack when I tell him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't have advice for you, but I have a somewhat similar situation so I can relate. My shower isn't broken, but has a recurring drip. I have had a couple of plumbers do a temporary bandaid-like fix, but to completely repair it, my understanding is that they would have to totally rip out the tiles. Because, like you, I don't have an access panel. It's been frustrating. But mine at least is fixed for the time being so it's not dripping, and it is a rarely used shower. Good luck!

If you have a persistent drip, 99% of the time you just need to replace the mixing cartridge, not the brass valve housing. It is a remove and replace in-kind situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don't have advice for you, but I have a somewhat similar situation so I can relate. My shower isn't broken, but has a recurring drip. I have had a couple of plumbers do a temporary bandaid-like fix, but to completely repair it, my understanding is that they would have to totally rip out the tiles. Because, like you, I don't have an access panel. It's been frustrating. But mine at least is fixed for the time being so it's not dripping, and it is a rarely used shower. Good luck!

If you have a persistent drip, 99% of the time you just need to replace the mixing cartridge, not the brass valve housing. It is a remove and replace in-kind situation.

This is why I advise just getting another valve of the same model, removing everything from it that can be removed, and replacing everything in one shot. Even if the new valve is $500 it's just not worth trying to figure out which parts are the problem. Every part that can be replaced can be replaced with the valve still in the wall. In every shower valve I've ever seen every part that touches water can be replaced, it's kind of amazing how little there is left when all the replaceable parts have been removed. If you're going to the work of shutting the water off and taking the valve apart it really isn't much more work to replace everything inside.

This is almost but not quite a handyman job, some of the parts take specialized tools that a handyman is unlikely to have to remove. It's really a job that a handman could do if he had the tools.

I consider myself an advanced DIY. All of the showers in my house have the same valve, I keep a spare in a drawer and I bought the tools to take it apart, they weren't expensive. When one starts giving me trouble I gut it, replace it with pieces from the spare, throw the spare away and buy another one on Amazon.