I need a plumber's opinion

[DWalt]

I am experiencing a very unusual problem with one of my bathroom shower/bathtub water faucets. It is the standard Moen valve design, pull and push knob for on/off and turn the knob for hot/cold. It also has a shower head. Recently the flow rate has reduced greatly, both hot and cold, and the most unusual thing is when the shower should be on, it is actually pulling a vacuum. No way can I think of how it could possibly pull a vacuum, but it does. I replaced the valve cartridge, but that did nothing. My house is about 50 years old, and I think the plumbing is original to the house. Water pressure is good in other parts of the house, and there are no leakage indications. I am really stumped. Has anyone seen anything similar?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

After 44 years of home and apartment maintenance, my distant diagnosis is that you need a new tub control.

I've always done them from the rear, except after I retired my son bought a 40-year-old house and the bath vanity is behind the plumbing wall, so I did my first ever from the front. Very tight quarters but it can be done.

When you buy your new control there are threaded versions and soldier versions, if space permits use threaded and adapters. Costs a few dollars more but far less chance of fire. No shame if you don't have the nerve for it! However, this isn't a job for a good ol boy, Get a real plumber at this point.

Next point: Texas water has a high mineral content!! Your whole house pipes are filling with scale! My son lived in Beeville and his pipes basically clogged shut. 4BR Ranch 2.5 bath on a slab, pipes ran in ceiling and attic. Total replacement with PEX was about $5000 about 8 years ago. Only took a day and a half!

Sorry to bring bad news.

Ivan

 

[Tyree1867]

I'd try taking the shower head off to see if it is plugged. If you have good flow w/o the head then you know the problem. Vinegar can dissolve hard water or other deposits inside the shower head or just buy a new one.

 

[DWalt]

The mystery is that I have a vacuum at the shower head. The head is not plugged.

 

[mattallamerican]

thats the best moen bath valve ever they dont make it any more the new ones are government mandate temp control clean out the valve and get a new shower head

 

[delcrossv]

After 44 years of home and apartment maintenance, my distant diagnosis is that you need a new tub control.

I've always done them from the rear, except after I retired my son bought a 40-year-old house and the bath vanity is behind the plumbing wall, so I did my first ever from the front. Very tight quarters but it can be done.

When you buy your new control there are threaded versions and soldier versions, if space permits use threaded and adapters. Costs a few dollars more but far less chance of fire. No shame if you don't have the nerve for it! However, this isn't a job for a good ol boy, Get a real plumber at this point.

Next point: Texas water has a high mineral content!! Your whole house pipes are filling with scale! My son lived in Beeville and his pipes basically clogged shut. 4BR Ranch 2.5 bath on a slab, pipes ran in ceiling and attic. Total replacement with PEX was about $5000 about 8 years ago. Only took a day and a half!

Sorry to bring bad news.

Ivan

I'd guess you have control problems too

Replaced my Moen with a Simmons. Pretty easy if you're deft with a torch. Much better valve- priced accordingly. Take real care not to overheat the valve body or use threaded connections and unions.

You shouldn't have a scale issue with copper. If you have galvanized pipe, I'd look into that, but that would show up as low pressure generally.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Hot water on the left, **** flows downhill, payday is on Friday.

Sorry-couldn't resist

 

[chief38]

I believe you have a clog somewhere in the control unit - like something broke off). IMHO not worth taking apart - just replace. While Moen is not what they used to be, (other company's are not either) it is still decent, guaranteed for life, and that's probably what I'd replace it with.

BTW, call Moen - it might also have the lifetime warranty!!

 

[targetchief]

Hot water on the left, **** flows downhill, payday is on Friday.

Sorry-couldn't resist

And don’t bite your fingernails. [emoji2955]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jeffrefrig]

The only time I ever saw a vacuum at the spigot is when the house water is shut off and a sink or hose bib is turned on to drain the pipes. But, all of your sinks, etc., would be doing the same thing. That's weird.
And Cajun Lawyer left out don't shake hands with a plumber, and don't pick your nose if you are a plumber.
Edit: I forgot about biting your fingernails.

 

[Bald1]

The first couple years after putting in a well at my cabin , I had similar symptoms. It was due to partial clog/restriction. Now my debris came from well. Yours obviously came from elsewhere ( I’m assuming city water) but a clog nonetheless.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Yup. Sounds like it's time for a new valve. I do most plumbing myself, but I think that would cause me to call a real plumber to make sure it's done right the FIRST time.

Now for the bad news:

The new valves are pressure balancing and low flow thanks to our "benevolent" government. The valves aren't necessarily bad (other than the fact that they're low flow), but the pressure balancing cartridges require frequent replacement especially if you have hard water. They start to stick after awhile, and you can get only two options - way too hot or way too cold. Thankfully replacing the cartridges is an easy DIY job. Hardest part is finding the correct part, so I order them from amazon and keep a couple on hand.

 

[Rule3]

Do you have the regular tub divert valve.Where you pull up and then the water goes to the shower head and not the tub spout?

 

[DWalt]

Yes, a diverter faucet. But because the valve diverter rod has always been frozen in place. And I can't move it, so long ago I just put a diverter faucet on it.