Trying to fix a leaking shower (American Standard)

[Cortiz108]

Hi there. First post, led here by google searches. I'm trying to fix my mom's leaking shower. It's a pretty bad, constant drip.

My first plan was to change the o-rings, but I didn't have the right sizes. The inner one was scrunched up between the two pieces of the cartridge. I re-seated the rings and reassembled everything, but the leak is still just as bad. Maybe slightly better.

I contacted American Standard and they were able to identify the cartridge. Given that I don't think it's been changed since my mom moved in almost 25 years ago, I though it might be best to replace the cartridge rather than mess around trying to find the right o-rings, reassembling again, and it still not working.

So my question is, am I on the right track? (I have almost no plumbing experience beyond replacing toilet tank parts). This is what the American Standard guy wrote:

"I have received your pictures and have identified your shower unit as the Prestige 1805 model as shown in the attached file. The transfer valve rebuild kit is part 066285-0070A and the valve rebuild kit is part 066287-0070A as shown in the links provided."

Here's the file he sent:



So the transfer valve rebuild kit (part 066285-0070A) is for the shower knob (the middle one, to switch between bath faucet and shower), and the valve rebuild kit (part 066287-0070A) is for the hot water. I'm not sure if he's suggesting that both need to be replaced to stop the leak? I was under the impression that it was just the shower cartridge that should be replaced.

Thanks for any help.... and here are pics of the shower and old cartridge.

 

[CT-18]

If water is dripping it is because of the hot or cold shut offs. The center handle diverts from tub spout to shower head. If that were a issue you would likely be getting water out of both, head and spout instead of one. Do like they said and replace o rings and washer on the hot and cold cartridges. Do them both together

 

[havasu]

Why not have American Standard replace the entire cartridge?

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

Why not have American Standard replace the entire cartridge?

Is American Standard, like Moen and others, guaranteed for life?

 

[havasu]

Theoretically, YES, their products are guaranteed for life. There are lots of exclusions, but I'd be on the phone letting them know I was disappointed and as a loyal customer, I'd like to have them send me parts to repair their product.

FOR NON-COMMERCIAL OWNER INSTALLATIONS: AS America, Inc. (“American Standard®”) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for as long as the original non-commercial owner owns the product. Proof of purchase (your original sales receipt) from the original non-commercial owner must be made available to American Standard for all warranty claims. This warranty is non-transferable to subsequent purchasers or owners. The sole exception to the non-transferability of this warranty is that if this product is purchased by a plumber, contractor or other service provider, this warranty extends to the first property owner on whose behalf the product was purchased for installation. It does not apply in the event of product damage due to the use of other than genuine American Standard replacement parts, installation error, abuse, misuse or improper care and maintenance (whether performed by a plumber, contractor, service provider or member of the purchaser’s household). The warranty excludes damage due to aggressive air or water conditions, or harsh or abrasive cleaners and/or materials. This warranty does not cover deterioration through normal wear and tear and the expense of normal maintenance.

 

[Cortiz108]

If water is dripping it is because of the hot or cold shut offs. The center handle diverts from tub spout to shower head. If that were a issue you would likely be getting water out of both, head and spout instead of one. Do like they said and replace o rings and washer on the hot and cold cartridges. Do them both together

It actually does leak from both. When I switch between them it's a lot less on the other, but still some dripping.

They didn't actually advise anything or say to change the o rings, that was my idea. They just sent me the part info.

 

[Cortiz108]

Why not have American Standard replace the entire cartridge?

Since I got to the point where I can take the cartridge out and put it back in, I was thinking I could just do it myself. I just wanted to make sure I'm understanding the root cause and the solution correctly. Especially in regards to changing the valve (hot water) or the transfer valve (shower/bath), or both.

I'm also confused about why the cold one doesn't have a valve.

 

[Cortiz108]

Theoretically, YES, their products are guaranteed for life. There are lots of exclusions, but I'd be on the phone letting them know I was disappointed and as a loyal customer, I'd like to have them send me parts to repair their product.

FOR NON-COMMERCIAL OWNER INSTALLATIONS: AS America, Inc. (“American Standard®”) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials or workmanship for as long as the original non-commercial owner owns the product. Proof of purchase (your original sales receipt) from the original non-commercial owner must be made available to American Standard for all warranty claims. This warranty is non-transferable to subsequent purchasers or owners. The sole exception to the non-transferability of this warranty is that if this product is purchased by a plumber, contractor or other service provider, this warranty extends to the first property owner on whose behalf the product was purchased for installation. It does not apply in the event of product damage due to the use of other than genuine American Standard replacement parts, installation error, abuse, misuse or improper care and maintenance (whether performed by a plumber, contractor, service provider or member of the purchaser’s household). The warranty excludes damage due to aggressive air or water conditions, or harsh or abrasive cleaners and/or materials. This warranty does not cover deterioration through normal wear and tear and the expense of normal maintenance.

Thanks, this was a good idea but my mom is the 2nd owner of the house so it sounds like it wouldn't be covered.

 

[havasu]

Yeah, they would certainly disqualify that warranty.

I know many of the professionals here would recommend just biting the bullet and replacing the entire set up with something clean and modern, but this would entail a full rebuild. Do you have access behind this wet wall?

 

[Cortiz108]

Yeah, they would certainly disqualify that warranty.

I know many of the professionals here would recommend just biting the bullet and replacing the entire set up with something clean and modern, but this would entail a full rebuild. Do you have access behind this wet wall?

No, on the other side is another room. I think it would be a huge project, which is something my mom couldn't afford.

 

[BlueSkyHigh]

No, on the other side is another room. I think it would be a huge project, which is something my mom couldn't afford.

Cutting some drywall in the abutting room to gain access and installing an access door/panel to complete the repair is something that you can possibly consider.

 

[Cortiz108]

I'm not really understanding these kinds of suggestions. Why would I want to rip everything out just to fix a shower leak? That's all I want to do -- stop the existing shower from leaking, in the simplest and cheapest way possible.

I'm just trying to figure out which part(s) I need to replace: the valve in the hot water side, the transfer valve, or both.

Thanks.

 

[GReynolds929]

I would replace hot, cold, and diverter cartridge, if it still leaks the valve needs replaced.

 

[MicEd69]

Since I got to the point where I can take the cartridge out and put it back in, I was thinking I could just do it myself. I just wanted to make sure I'm understanding the root cause and the solution correctly. Especially in regards to changing the valve (hot water) or the transfer valve (shower/bath), or both.

I'm also confused about why the cold one doesn't have a valve.

The cold does have a valve/cartridge. The drawing is simply showing that the handles can be levers on some models. They are exactly the same parts as shown for the hot water valve. You should change both the hot and cold cartridges. That will fix your issue.

 

[havasu]

And replace the seats. Many overlook this important piece.

 

[Cortiz108]

Great, thanks. So should I not replace the transfer valve, only the hot and cold?

And are the cartridge and seats included in the "kits" that AS linked?
066285-0070A
066287-0070A

 

[havasu]

The valve rebuild kits do not come with the seats. They may have a more extensive kit which includes them.