AboutSharon 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
Question I hope you dont mind if I ask you a follow up question since Anthony is on vacation. The question is do I need to replace the entire valve or just an O ring. The shower faucet is leaking from the shower head, hot water side. Thanks very much for any help you can give, John.
Answer Dear John,
I don't mind at all! That's what I'm here for. Have you ever been inside a Delta fixture? I love Delta, they have not changed their parts in over 50 years. The got it right the first time!
If you have a standard Delta shower fixture [not a temp control, which is a later model and has a cartride, which is also easy to replace] you shouldn't have a problem. With the shower fixture, there is no O ring to change.
Turn off the main valve to the house. Remove the handle. The shower handle will probably have a cap which you need to pop off. There will be a screw inside to remove.
There will be a "dome" type cover with knurling around the rim. Loosen the dome and take it off. You'll find the same old Delta parts inside; the plastic cap [with a shower fixture, the cap has a straight slot, not a triangle opening], the rubber seal underneath, a ball [the shower ball is a bit different from the sink ball, it has a thicker stem that is threaded in the center], and the usual seats and springs.
I use a small phillips screwdriver to pull out the seats and springs. In the case of a shower fixture, the seats and springs are in a vertical position. When you put the new ones in, you have to press the "seats" in firmly or they will drop out before you get the ball in place.
I want to caution you. In the past 10 years, other manufacturers have been making cheaper repair parts for all brands, including Delta. When you go to the hardware store to buy the parts, look for "Authentic Delta Replacement Parts".
They will cost a few dollars more, but trust me on this, it's worth the price. The cheap parts often have rough edges or splits, and they either won't work, or they won't last as long. Be thankful you have Delta. They are the best! Hope this helped. sharon
