Installed a.new cartridge (oem part). Everything is in correctly. Everything lines up where it should. Everything is tight. I restored flow to my shower which was my goal. However when the shower handle is in the off position I get a small drip.

I tried fixing this almost a year ago. Had the wrong cartridge. Shower leaked after installation but would turn completely off if the handle were in the exact position. Like not even a fraction of a millimeter off.

I turned the valve off behind the faceplate of the handle both cold and hot but my shower faucet is dripping.

Does this mean my valve is my issue?

Comments

69Dankdaddy69 t1_ixm2oos wrote on November 24, 2022 at 1:57 PM

#649,269

If its leaking, that means water is passing the valves in the tap(s) (you might have one of those mixer things that combined hot and cold)

I fixed mine by swapping out the valve. Look like little spinning tops and you can buy packs of em for like $10.

If thats your problem, you can look up how-tos online for replacing valves in taps. Very easy job. Took me ten minutes to do my shower, and thats only because the value was stuck.

Any online guide will warn you to turn off your water supply to your house first. I will remind you also.

A_Plumber2020 t1_ixm4rae wrote on November 24, 2022 at 2:15 PM

#649,551

You may have some "pitting" on the "seat" area of the valve body (the whole brass assembly) where the cartridge (which you replaced) comes into contact with the valve body. They make specific tools for smoothing these back out, although often you can get by with some sand paper. If the seat face is not completely smooth then the o-rings cannot seal and you will get water coming past the cartridge.

DotAccomplished5484 t1_ixm7vxt wrote on November 24, 2022 at 2:41 PM

#649,932

The problem is most likely the valve body is pitted or worn allowing water to seep past the O-rings. Another possibility is thread distortion resulting from trying to shut off the drip by over tightening the valve. There are many videos on repair processes, but the success rate of these repairs is significantly short of universal.

Try the repairs because they are relatively inexpensive. Then door #2 is replacement of the valve.

YeaSpiderman OP t1_ixm8wiv wrote on November 24, 2022 at 2:49 PM

#650,046

Replying to A_Plumber2020 (#649,551)

That’s a great idea. It did look a bit weathered but nothing came off with my finger when I saw that initially.

YeaSpiderman OP t1_ixmif5x wrote on November 24, 2022 at 4:01 PM

#651,227

Replying to A_Plumber2020 (#649,551)

Would a little bit of silicone grease on the gasket help out at all?

A_Plumber2020 t1_ixmj5tz wrote on November 24, 2022 at 4:06 PM

#651,327

It may, I usually start out with a bit of that if the valve seats don't look too bad. Kinda hard to tell you without seeing it firsthand. It could be worth a try.

LeroyMoriarty t1_ixpa6qj wrote on November 25, 2022 at 5:45 AM

#662,589

Not trying to be insulting, did all o rings from the old cartridge come out? I’ve got a property with 478 cartridges similar to yours. Even after a few years I fuck my self by forgetting to check for them when I swap one. Will fit well enough to reassemble but not to seal correctly.