New shower faucets water varies in strength

[Buzzer]

I recently installled new hot and cold faucet stems (Pfizer crown imperial) in my shower. Now when I open them the water stream is strong but decreases after a few seconds and I have to open the faucet further to get the stream back up. I have to do this several times before the stream stabilizes. The effect is similar on both hot and bold but hot seems to need adjusted more often. Also when turning off hot side takes more turns before handle feels same resistance as cold.

Any help
Or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Brian

 

[Geofd]

Is the handle moving possibly closing a bit????, I have seen the before and the packing nut was a bit loose

 

[breplum]

I've not seen that Pfizer added home plumbing to their pharmaceuticals.
OTOH if you are referring to Price Pfister, universally, the stem lubrication with plumbers grease and packing nut is what factors in to your issues.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I recently installled new hot and cold faucet stems (Pfizer crown imperial) in my shower. Now when I open them the water stream is strong but decreases after a few seconds and I have to open the faucet further to get the stream back up. I have to do this several times before the stream stabilizes. The effect is similar on both hot and bold but hot seems to need adjusted more often. Also when turning off hot side takes more turns before handle feels same resistance as cold.

Any help
Or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Brian

The hot water is swelling the faucet washer up.

Lower your water temp at the source or find better quality Bibb washer.

 

[Buzzer]

Is the handle moving possibly closing a bit????, I have seen the before and the packing nut was a bit lo

Thanks. Handle and valve stem seem quite firm. I checked the packing nut before installing but will check sgsn

 

[Buzzer]

The hot water is swelling the faucet washer up.

Lower your water temp at the source or find better quality Bibb washer.

 

[Buzzer]

Thanks. This kind of makes sense and explains both the change in flow and “squishiness” when turning off. The new stems say oem so you would think the washer would be of the right quality. How Wouk I know if a good quality replacement?

 

[Geofd]

You could buy a bib screw and washer kit from a plumbing supply house

 

[Twowaxhack]

Thanks. This kind of makes sense and explains both the change in flow and “squishiness” when turning off. The new stems say oem so you would think the washer would be of the right quality. How Wouk I know if a good quality replacement?

Unfortunately most hardware store washers are crap. Try to find a faucet repair specialty store in your area. You want the washer to be harder. Take the old one with you…..to show them what you don’t want.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Here's another thought. The pressure reducing valve, PRV, may have coincidentally "gone south" when you were changing out your part. My question would be are there any other water faucets in the house that you've checked to see if the flow is initially high but tapers down a bit in relatively quickly? If so, it may be your PRV. If, not, please disregard.