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About Sharon McCarthy
Expertise
I can help with most questions about residential plumbing problems including septic systems, and some questions about irrigation. I have no experience with commercial installations or codes.

Experience
I have been a sole-proprietor service plumber in two small towns north of Phoenix Arizona for 26 years.

Publications
I had a monthly column in the United Steelworkers of America, local 1033, newsletter 1978 to 1982. I wrote an article for "The Theosophist" in 1977. I've written dozens of letters to the editor in many newspapers.

Education/Credentials
High school and three years of college. My step-father, having worked 40 years in the plumbing trade in Chicago, taught me for two years. The rest has been hands-on experience.

Past/Present Clients
Many hundreds of good people in Cave Creek and Carefree Arizona

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Plumbing in the Home > Tub and Shower 3 handle faucet leak

Plumbing in the Home - Tub and Shower 3 handle faucet leak

Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have a 3 handle tub and shower faucet. Replaced all parts in hot and cold -- leak better, but still very small leak. Then replaced guts of diverter and even nozzle. Leak appears to be completely gone, but hot water faucet now chatters loudly when turning water off. It did not chatter before replacing the diverter and nozzle. Could the diverter cause hot faucet to chatter. Faucet was old, but to replace would be major job as wall would have to be cut out and have been quoted price of about $700 so opted to replace all parts (have spent $180 in parts so far). Any help you can give would be appreciated.

P.S. If you turn the hot water handle SLOWLY to off, it does not chatter -- however, turning it normally causes a loud chatter.

ANSWER: Dear Shirley,

  I'd bet you have a trusty old Price Pfister fixture. Virtually indestructable! Too bad all the newer fixtures aren't built like this one was. I have a hunch the screw is either loose or it came out of the washer on the stem on the hot side. I suggest you remove the hot-side stem and check.

  There are two kinds of washers to use for PP stems. There are the more common flat washers [I think the size is 1/4L] and there are also thicker washers called "beveled" washers. They are kind of cone-shaped but flat on top.

  If you put new beveled washers in, and the old ones were flat, sometimes the screw only threads in a few turns because the beveled washer is so much thicker. The screw can come out if it wasn't tightened down well. Also, if you put flat washers in, and there were some particles in the hole where the screw goes in, the screw may not have tightened down and the washer is loose. This can also cause it to chatter.

  The fact that this started when you replaced the diverter is probably just a coincidence. The diverter stem would not have any effect on the hot or cold stems. The diverter only switches water from tub spout to shower.

  Did you replace the "seats"? If either "seat" has a nick in it, that nick can tear up a new washer very quickly. The "seat" is the part way in back, the part the washer presses against when closed. Seats can be removed and replaced. You'll need a "seat wrench", available at any hardware store. The PP seat has a square opening in the center. Seat wrenches have two ends, one end is hex-shaped, the other end square-shaped.

  There are "steps" on both ends, different sizes. Place the square end into the seat until it fits snugly. Press it in as you turn it, if you don't have it all the way in you can strip the hole. Unscrew the seat. Take it with you to the hardware store so you get the same size. Be sure and put teflon paste on the threads first. Teflon tape often unwinds off of seats and water will leak through. If you replace the seats, the washers will be good for a long time. Hope this helped! Sharon

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We did replace the seats -- everything that could be replaced was replaced. We will check into your suggestions and let you know what happens. Thanks for your fast answer.

Answer
Dear Shirley, I'm glad you posed you answer as a new question, otherwise I can't respond, the way this site is designed. Frustrating sometimes when a questioner makes a comment later and I can't get back to them.

I do like feedback. I based my suggestion about looking at that washer on the hot side from my own personal experience, I have had times when a screw wasn't tight and the washer chattered when the valve was being closed. Now that I'm answering questions here, follow ups are very helpful. Thanks. Sharon

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