AboutDana Bostick Expertise Pretty much any residential plumbing questions. Note: I live and work in Southern California. We do not as a rule use boilers, hot water or steam heating systems or wells so my knowledge in those areas is limited. There are others here that can probably answer those questions better.
"We all is city folk" out here! What is a "well" LOL
Experience Licensed General Contractor with Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical sub-licenses
Hello Dana, I am having a problem with my single valve shower from Pegasus. It is a single valve shower with the diverter located just below the on/off handle. With this small handle if you turn it to the right, the shower will run; and it you turn it to the left, the bathtub will fill. Here is my problem: When i turn the small handle to the right to turn on my shower, my spout will run heavily wasting a lot of water thus lowering the pressure of my shower. If i turn it the other way, my tub will fill but water will come out of the shower head? I don't know what to do and Id like to fix it. Is there anyway, I can fix this problem on my own? I would appreciate any information you can provide and even some steps on repairing it if you can. I have attached an image for you. Thank you Dana for all your help. I hope I can repair this on my own and learn something.
Answer Hello Franco,
You may know that Pegasus valves are a product available in Home Depot and Lowes. They are versions made for them by the major manufacturers and are sometimes the exact duplicate of a main line brand but but made with less expensive materials. Sometimes they are exactly the same.
In any case, HD or Lowes would be the source for repair parts, check with them.
Tub/shower valves usually do not have individual shut off valves like a sink or toilet so the house water will need to be shut off to work on them. This can be a problem if you take it apart and do not have the exact right parts to fix it. now you have no water in the house until you find the right parts. "We'll order it for you" is not what you want to hear when you are holding the bad part in your hand at HD and the water is shut off until you can fix it. Plan ahead!
Your picture sort of looks like a Symmonds pressure balancing valve. They have the exact same layout for the diverter. I could be wrong.
If you do find a "kit" to rebuild the valve, get a parts diagram that shows an exploded view so you can see where everything goes on assembly. There is no substitute for a proper set of repair instructions. (unless you have done the job many times)
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