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If a shower valve is installed upside down, water will continually flow and this will be the case even if you stop regulating the diverter. Also, the cold and hot water controls will change positions. Consider rotating your shower’s valve body to help you to repair the diverter.
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What Can Go Wrong With a Shower Valve?
Several things can go wrong with a shower valve. Moreover, this can be the case if it is faulty. Some of the issues are as follows;
Water Pressure Changes
With pressure changes, a lot can happen. When there is a complete loss or immediate shift in the water pressure, wear and tear can arise on the valve. Also, Issues caused by pressure can be the outcome of deterioration on the inner parts of the valve or the clogging.
Sudden Changes In Temperature
I know you may have a shower temperature that is always perfect for you. And with a slight shift, you will detect it instantly. The unexpected changes in the temperature can be induced by two things.
First is the normal tear and wear as you keep on using your shower. And secondly, It can also be due to lime buildup in the valve. Besides in case, this arises more often, you may need repairs.
Leaking Shower Head
If your shower drips, then this could be a sign of the valve not having a reasonable seal to fully turn it off. Be careful as leaking is a critical issue and it can destroy your bathroom as time goes by.
Finding It Hard to Turn the On Shower
At times it can be so hard to turn on the shower. And with such resistance, this could imply the shower valve is misaligned. This can therefore lead to corrosion or even destruction.
Take note of this as it may be an initial sign of a huge issue.
What Happens If a Shower Valve Is Installed Upside Down?
If you install a shower valve upside-down water will constantly flow. That will happen despite you not regulating the diverter. Moreover, the cold and hot water controls will switch positions.
This will happen due to you inverting the cartridge. However, you can fix the showerhead operations or the diverter by rotating the shower’s valve body.
When Should You Replace a Shower Valve?
You should replace a shower valve if it’s not working well and you are also planning to remodel your bathroom. And when remodeling, you will have to put in extra effort and time. This will ensure your upgraded bathroom has a perfect feel.
Remember, you need the room to be a great place. Therefore, you can consider choosing a shower head that has numerous settings. And when you do that, you will have a perfect kind of ordeal you need based on the conditions.
Moreover, it does take more than just marble tiles to guarantee a true shower experience. And if the shower is not running as anticipated, then color blends won’t conquer it. For this reason, as you remodel the bathroom, you need to decide whether it is time for replacing the valves or not.
This will ensure every staff regarding your shower works well. And even if a shower can appear to be functioning properly, its valve may affect your performance. If it’s in excellent condition it can help in boosting your morning habit and even make the shower extra satisfying.
How Can a Failing Shower Valve Cost You?
A failing valve can cost you extra cash since it isn’t working as it should. What’s more, it may be gradually damaging your residence and resulting in conditions that can produce harmful molds. With that said, when you remodel your bathroom, you will have a good opportunity to check your valves.
You will also be able to decide on replacing them. In case you need your upgraded bathroom to be the best, you can think of your shower as a very important appliance. Hence, always ensure its valve works appropriately.
How Do You Fix a Reverse Shower Valve?
You can easily fix a reverse shower valve. However, the direction you opt for is based on whether your shower has one temperature regulator or they are two. And you can proceed as follows;
For Separate Temperature Controls
Get the Right Tools
In case you have separate knobs, you will require some essential tools to help you reverse the knobs. Consider getting a wire brush, screwdriver, and a small wrench.
Turn Off Water and Cover the Shower Drain
After getting the equipment, proceed to turn off the main water supply in your residence. You can cover your shower drain using a towel. Moreover, you need to do this just in case something falls.
Then create a tidy workstation where you will put all the things you remove to prevent them from being misplaced. Some control knobs have covers with symbols for both the cold and hot water. And it’s letter c and h respectively.
You can remove it there with the help of a flathead screwdriver. Moreover, you are likely to swap them and if not, you can check beneath or behind the covers for the screws. You can then unscrew them and discard the temperature controls from the wall.
Clean Any Mineral Accumulation
Using a wire brush, you can clean the shower lines. You will realize a protrusion from the bathroom’s wall. Cleaning them will help you to wipe out the water deposits.
Go on to dry them to prevent the mineral dust which may have collected due to brushing.
Test the Two Regulators
When you are done, you can return the temperature control knobs on the lines. Ensure you have them in opposite spots just as they were before. You should also be cautious as you place them there.
Go on to tighten a different retaining screw on the two regulators. Finish by testing them to confirm if you have installed them the right way.
Fixing A Single Knob
With only a single regulator with a reversed temperature, you will need to fix it differently.
Turn Off Water Supply
Just like the two knobs, you can start by turning the water supply off. Still don’t forget to cover the drain.
Remove the Screws
On the cold and hot shower spigot knob, locate the middle screw. And if there is a lid on the grip, you can go ahead and pry it off. Do this before you unscrew and then remove the screw.
Discard the Knobs
You can discard the knobs by holding them up, and slanting back. And finalizing by slipping away from the wall. You also need to do the same for the second knob behind the initial one.
Some do have retaining clips and rings which you can slip off. With that, you will see a cartridge and that can be the cause of the issue at hand.
Fix the Shower Cartridges
You now need to take out the shower cartridge. If it has a clip gripping it, you can use pliers with needle-nose to extract it. Hold its top section firmly using a cartridge removal device and then rip it straight out.
Proceed to rotate it roughly halfway from the initial position. You can slip it back till it becomes tight and then return the retaining hook, ring, lid, and grip.
In case this method cannot change the cold and hot water positions, consider replacing the old cartridge with a new one. You will also need to change the retaining hook and ring plus the screw and lid.
Conclusion
A lot can happen if you install your shower valve upside down. Therefore, you should always keep in mind that the issues can not be fixed if you don’t take action. Consider contacting professionals to help you with the repairs and thus, you will prevent further destruction.