Shower valve flush

Clean the junk out of your shower faucet (valve) and make it work like new again! Is yours hard to turn or just not flowing well anymore? or maybe dripping water through the shower head? Fix it. Watch our video & be a winner! We are helping you "bring your family home!"

[@awesomefacepalm]

Guess the water pipe got screwed

[@landos6567]

Great video and maybe someone can give me some advice. long story short the water pressure had been low throughout my home for months worst in the bathroom. I called once for an estimate but that went no place, long story. Anyway a couple days ago there was a water main break in my area and I guess the water pressure dropped a lot more once repaired the pressure was back. I opened the bathroom sink aerator turn on water and lots of black stuff came out this had been done many times yet still low pressure but this time pressure is great. I go to the kitchen and not able to clear it's aerator so I purchase another faucet and install and pressure is also great. I also flushed the line and some black stuff came from it as well. Now working on the tub and shower remove the knobs and pressure is great but very low pressure from tub spout and shower. Could there be something lodged in pipe between the two?

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Lando, probably not in the pipes. It sounds like it could be in your diverter. Have you checked/flushed that?

[@landos6567]

Home Maintenance Solution, Inc Thank you for the response and yes this is my goal for today try and flush out the diverter. I have noticed a slight increase in pressure this morning.

[@landos6567]

Well managed to knock on diverter a few times and now have good pressure in tub/shower. Also during this fiasco discovered the gate valve from water heater was closed

[@stevenbacus2857]

Excellent explanation - right to the point and very clear. Good job!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Steven Bacus,.thanks for input! Please subscribe to our channel so you are notified when we post new videos.

[@halseyballistic]

Steven Bacus my thoughts exactly. Great explanation!

[@ronwatters7742]

Great instructional video. Just what I needed for my current job. I really like your style as well. Keep up the good work.

[@gardengrower7633]

Wonderful clear video. I appreciate your thoroughness. Exactly what I need to do this week.

[@kmo2397]

Don’t forget that Mien has a lifetime warranty and will mail you a new cartridge for free if you call them.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks for the info!

[@carloscolon1279]

Thank you for taking the time to make this! Helped me not smash my shower to bits

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks for the feedback! Please subscribe and click the notifications bell, so you will be notified when we release new videos.

[@karenholley8356]

@carloscolon1279 (LOL) I can relate!😊

[@josephsmith3258]

You failed to leak test the valve/cartridge, itself, BEFORE you closed up the valve opening. How do you know there are no drips inside that wall now?

[@Steve.Garrison]

Thanks for making this video. I just installed a new on-demand water heater and was getting very low flow around a half gallon per minute in my shower. Hopefully this is what happened. Also nice to have a helper you can trust to not turn water on before you're ready for it - haha!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Steve Garrison, glad to help! This will probably solve your problem. Please subscribe to our channel so you can receive updates when we post new videos!

[@Steve.Garrison]

I did subscribe. The handle on my shower valve is held on with a allen-head set screw which stripped. It will have to wait until I get an extractor I guess. But all that jiggling around apparently loosened whatever was restricting the flow. It's okay for now anyway.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Steve Garrison, thanks! Good for you. Glad it came through!

[@karenholley8356]

@@Steve.Garrison In the meantime, Steve, go ahead and get that screw extractor -- you may need it for another application!❤

[@davidl4213]

Is this a Moen?

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

I'm pretty sure it was. I'm going by memory and this was a gew years ago.

[@Chris-qg4td]

Great video with thorough explanations and good camera angles that provide a clear view! Thanks!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Chris Boger, glad it helped! Please subscribe to our channel so that you can get notified when we post new videos! Best to you in your home repairs!

[@karenholley8356]

Subscribe to this channel and click on the notification bell ("All"). These videos are so worthwhile. Compare this channel, Home Maintenance Solution, Inc., to "This Old House" channel. Home Maintenance Solution, Inc. actually reads and responds to viewers' comments. "This Old House" channel could not be bothered.

[@adeboyegrillo3408]

A screw! Just like a dermoid cyst. You never know what you get.

[@inafog21]

Thanks for the great demonstration!

[@80artimus]

Great video, Thank you! Dealing with clogged mixing valves after changing out a 34 year old water heater.

[@brucepetrov1054]

Glad to help! Best to you on your project!

[@jmfoty4280]

I have a Moen shower system. I called them because I couldn't turn the water off. They sent me a new cartridge free. I just paid $25 for overnight delivery (it actually took two days). The warranty is good for as long as I own the house. Moen's instructions say you should lubricate the cartridge before installing the new or repaired cartridge.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Yes, if it is dry, it's a good idea to use some faucet grease on it. They just don't want it to pull at the rubber pieces when it slides in.

[@poppyhimbo]

i have to do this by myself and my shutoff is 2 floors down!! maybe just close the shower curtain and turn water on momentarily to blast out any debris then quickly shut off?

[@shawnfromportland]

I'm a fan of accents. are you from Eastern Ohio? rate my guess 🤙

[@karenholley8356]

You need to make that hole in the tile bigger; you could cut your hands/fingers on the tile. Think about the next time you have to service that plumbing. The retainer clip could easily have been lost down the black hole. Make it easy on yourself, bud. But a great video. Thank you so much for posting! I have subscribed and clicked the notification bell!

[@swazilandirtbikes]

Thanks Bruce! One of the finest videos I've ever seen!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

swazilandirtbikes, thanks for feedback! I appreciate that. Subscribe to our channel so you will be notified when we post new videos.

[@samg8761]

thank you so much. so clear....if i can understand, this is very clear! I replaced a cartrige last year and it leaks again. I think because i did not flash out before installing a new one,. I called Delta for help this morning and they told to flush out before installing the new one. This video confirmed and taught me a good lesson. thank you again.

[@michelemarch8270]

Thank You🌸

[@tedheierman1181]

Getting the handle off can be the first major hurdle to over come!

[@itzcaseykc]

Nicely done. May have to do that with my shower line. It's been bad way before I came to rent my place.

[@zeortega]

Very good video!! I found some plastic on two cartridges. Will flush the line to solve it. Tks!

[@rebeccamartinez2739]

Helpful .. thanks very much 🙏

[@touchecazertuche7051]

Thank you for this video!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

You're welcome. Glad to help! www.HouseRepairsYourself.com

[@moman1313131313]

I changed out my valve because my shower was pulsating. I pulled everything off the handle and flushed out like you did in this video. I’m still getting weak flow from my hot water. When I flushed it out the cold water seemed to be way more powerful than the hot. This project is driving me crazy. Any help would be appreciated.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

There are reasons that hot water flow can be low. What kind of supply pipes do you have? Is your house old? Is this bathroom on a 2nd or 3rd floor?

[@nevadahigh365]

I've been losing hot water to my single handle shower. Replaced the cartridge, same issue remains. When flushed lines, no hot water came out...only cold. DO have hot water to kitchen sink and hot line out of heater is warm. No leaks visible under house...any help? Where could I be losing hot water?

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

It could be other issues, but try looking for built in stops on the shower valve. When you remove the escushion ring from the wall, you should see them on the left and the right of the valve body (if you have them). They usually have slotted heads that can be turned with a flat screw driver. The tile or finish of the shower walls could lap over them slightly.

[@Maryam-ue3vw]

Outstanding! Excellent explanation. Thank you very much. I will try it on my own.

[@mesutter]

I had little hot water pressure on an old Moen valve (the type with a knob, and control of both water volume AND temperature). Cartridge was replaced, but did not correct the problem. The valve had stops, and it turned out that the hot water stop valve body was plugged. Replacing the stop assembly (they are removable) solved the problem. Of course, the building water had to be shut off.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks for the comments! You're right that lots of the newer valves have stops on the hot and cold water inlet pipes and they can get clogged or damaged. Great observation!

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

Fasten the handle back on the cartridge and use that to help remove the cartridge ... !

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

That's a great tip! Thanks

[@anthonym5834]

Excellent Video Thank you

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks Anthony! Glad it was helpful. Share with others if you can... Best!

[@kindnesskillz2935]

Mine has a cover on the pipe after you take off the handle so the cartridge is encased in a cover i cant seem so get it off and i dont want to break it

[@786otto]

Get a tool to remove Moen cartridge, sometimes is hard to get those out

[@rrivera_2747]

Thank you Mr. Petrov. How is my old country doing?

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

I'm in the US. Where are you now?

[@smalltownbbq600]

Well I replaced cartridges already 3 times and all same thing

[@not-fishing4730]

Needle nose pliers work great to remove and replace the clip.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks for commenting. You're right!

[@zokizye3167]

Great video

[@jimacheson4933]

This is a good video

[@MrzzJonezz]

Thanks

[@taylordressen4905]

You just saved my sanity. Thank you!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

You're welcome. Glad to help!

[@georgeyounger1]

Thank you, I had the same problem last night and this morning my wife went to use the shower and couldnt turn off the water. Thease cartridges only last a little over a year depending on the water situation in your home. My water situation is hard water so I believe this would have to be changed yearly unless I get a water softening system. Thanks again this was a big help, keep up the good work and great videos

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Yeah, George, if you are needing to replace it that often, I suggest investing in a water softener. Best to you!

[@georgeyounger1]

@@Homemaintenancesolution yes thank you, my wife said we are going to get one very soon. I just flushed almost all of the sediment build up in my hot water heater. Thank you again

[@jamesstufflebean3194]

cut the caulk lol

[@DallasD_]

🟠 HERE IS ANOTHER FIX: First shut off the main water source, then run a garden hose from the neighbors house or completely separate water source. Attach the garden hose to the the clogged water fixture. There are adapters available at home depot if you dont have a perfect fit. Open all connected faucets and/or fixtures, and also remove the GPM flow-restrictiors from these plumbing fixtures which will allow and backwash the collected sediment/clog out the other way through these fixtures. Run hot water through the garden hose if possible, hot water can potentially loosen up sediment and clogs better. Alternating from cold to hot in 5-10 minute intervals can also expand and contract the pipes loosening clogs/sediment up as well.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks for contributing!

[@moemoes5989]

great video. thk u.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Thanks! Please subscribe so that you will be notified when we post new videos!

[@SlingShotNinja]

Thank you so much!!!!!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Sure! Glad to help! Please subscribe to our channel so that you can get notified when we post new videos.

[@UtahTroutHunter]

So I replaced my cartridge, flushed the line, and still have really low pressure. Is it the valve body? I'm at the end of my rope!

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Josh Bell, there can be other causes for low flow, but usually it's not the valve body. If it were, you would probably see mineral build up in there. Have you tried removing the shower head? Do you get a "full port" steam from the pipe when you do? Has this flow problem changed recently or has it always been this way?

[@UtahTroutHunter]

Home Maintenance Solution, Inc Thanks for the reply!!! I removed the head and turned the water back on and still have very little pressure. I removed the cartridge and turned the water on and it seems to blast out of the valve at normal pressure (hot and cold). I pulled the cartridge out about half way and turned the water on so it would force water up to the head and it has normal pressure at the head when I did that. I have noticed a very slight decrease in pressure over the last week. The cartridge that was in it was replaced about 2 months ago because the old one actually broke off at the stem (6 year old son). So I thought maybe it was shoddy from Moen. So I replaced it again yesterday and the problem remains.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Wow, that's a tough one. Did you say that when the head is off you are getting a normal flow? If so, then something may have jammed in the head. If I'm understanding your last comment wrong, then it has to be something in the valve body. Do you think part of the broken cartridge could have come off and stuck in the valve body?

[@UtahTroutHunter]

Home Maintenance Solution, Inc well it was just the handle that broke off with the corroded stem attached. We have super hard water in Utah. Regardless if the head is on or not, when the cartridge is in I have little to no pressure. I think something is stuck in the valve body 😭.

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Josh Bell, Is it possible that you have the wrong cartridge? Although, I think you said when you replaced the cartridge the first time that it worked fine right away and then got slowly worse. If that's true, then you just need to make sure it matches the first one you tried. If that's not the problem and you have no other pressure problems in the house, then I would guess that it's in the valve body somewhere. Let me know what you discover.

[@smalltownbbq600]

I replaced cartridge and still have low pressure. You think I have something stuck between valve and shower head? I flushed it already and nothing. Also have no hot water

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

SmallTown BBQ, that sounds like it's a problem somewhere else. Do you have good flow from the hot water in other nearby locations? Also, if let the valve flush for long enough, would the water spitting out be warm or just cold? Also, do you have small shut off valves behind the valve plate that have a straight slot in them to turn with a screwdriver? make sure both are open if you do (turn all the way to the left).

[@smalltownbbq600]

Yes my lavatory in same RR has hot water and good flowing hot water. When flush it out it shoots out to back of shower wall but haven't kept it on long enough to notice if warm water comes out. Just usually turn it off and on few times no don't have that kinda valve with off and on water cut offs into valve

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

SmallTown BBQ, that sounds like a tricky one. I would be interested in whether or not you have warm water on a longer flush. To minimize the time, make sure you run hot water to the bathroom by a hot faucet first.

[@smalltownbbq600]

I tried all day again and still nothing. I flushed out faucet for 20 minutes and installed everything again and nothing. Gonna cut line tomorrow and see if something got stuck between valve and shower head

[@Homemaintenancesolution]

Sorry to hear... That's a tough one. When you flushed the valve this last time, when you let it go for a while, was the water warm or cold?