It's neither the Hot or Cold valve nor the shower head. The water is leaking somewhere from the wall. I am trying to loosen the stem/neck that goes between the shower head and the wall. I have already taken off the shower head and the escutcheon plate. Now how to I do the same to the chrome stem/neck? Then what else should I look for? As you can tell I am a novice DIY type. I don't want to call up the plumber less the leak is inside the wall itself. The Home Depot Home Improvement 1-2-3 book does not include any repair on this issue TiA

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SoCal for now.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/11/2007 09:20PM by kap.

The pipe should go up from the valve into a 90 angle pipe joint, and the shower head neck is screwed into it. Just a tapered pipe thread AFAIK. I watched the plumber when i was lazy and had him do all that last year.

on ours the neck just unscrews...with an ample amount of persuasion of course. then the escutcheon is usually screwed into a backer plate. after that you should be able to see inside the wall a little. maybe enough to discover the source.

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If you're concerned about the finish on the stem, you'll need a strap wrench. Some WD-40 or "release" spray would help loosen it as well.

As mentioned, the shower stem should only by a few inches into the wall into a right angle threaded fitting. The fitting is usually copper from the valve connection up to the shower head adapter (unless the house is really old).

And lastly, what kind of wall? Tile or tub/shower surround? Could just be water penetrating behind the surface and then running out after everything's turned off... Generally the valves would be the culprit (there isn't much wear and tear on the things inside the wall)...

It's an ancient house ... 100 + year old Italianate Victorian with three bedrooms and 1.5 baths. The plumbing is galvanized. The leakage is in the tiled master shower. I am more concerned about messing up some piping inside the wall than scratching or denting the shower neck. Its replacement is inexpensive any way.

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SoCal for now.

great atitude. The chromed pipe is nothing compared to the tile.

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Racer X
great atitude. The chromed pipe is nothing compared to the tile.

As soon as I pulled the shower neck off the wall, that particular tile fell apart in my hand I looked inside the hole, the water is seeping from there. I don't know what it means. I am heading out to our local Home Depot to purchase another shower neck.

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SoCal for now.

Does the water leak when the water is running or when the water is off? If when running, the problem is after (above) the valve, otherwise below or in the valve.

What does the shower wet wall back onto? If lucky, it's a closet, and you can open the wall in the closet to get to the repair. Much easier and less messy (and easier to repair) than touching the tile wall.

Good luck,

Cary

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Cary
Does the water leak when the water is running or when the water is off? If when running, the problem is after (above) the valve, otherwise below or in the valve.

What does the shower wet wall back onto? If lucky, it's a closet, and you can open the wall in the closet to get to the repair. Much easier and less messy (and easier to repair) than touching the tile wall.

Good luck,

Cary

The leak occurs when the water is off. It's not a closet. I think I will have to call the plumber and the tile guy. Ugh!

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SoCal for now.

Yep, what Cary is offering is what you need to think about here.

The pipe above the valve is not under pressure when the valve is turned off, if the leak is above the valve on the way to the shower head, then you will only see it leak when the shower is on...the "seepage" you're seeing could be just water coming out of the pipe after you removed the head and it's neck...in this case, it should eventually stop..pretty quickly

If you have leakage when the shower is turned on, then it is probably not a huge issue...an old connection between a pipe and a fitting, hopefully, after the drop ear or basic 90 degree fitting, which accepts the pipe leading to the shower head...if it's that then it's an easy fix with some fresh pipe dope..best case.

Getting to it without trashing your shower is your biggest issue..i think you know this by now.

Look for a creative way into the wall via the backside, as Cary mentioned...if it exists.

If you have to remove tile...take your time and use small tools that you can control. Is it large tile? small mosaic tile?

If it is a very old shower...you might be dealing with what is known as a mud shower...that is, the surface under the tile is an actual mortar job that is screed (leveled) to wall specs. you need to be very careful not to damage the rest of the mortar wall under the greater shower area. no big pounding moves..small tools and patience will pay, big time, on the backside of your project.

Modern or relatively recent tile showers use a bunch of different materials as backer for tile..concrete board (most common these days), oddball hybrid systems...you can also find pleny of "green" board drywall serving as backer for tile...this stuff sucks for this. You might find some of this stuff underneath if it was rehabbed in since the 50's or 60's.

The hand mudded showers last a LONG time but might be trickier tile repair once the leak has been fixed. You should consult a pro to help begin thinking about closing the wounds.

Here's a great forum for these types of questions..excellent resource with smart regulars who will guide you.

[www.johnbridge.com];



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2007 01:46AM by Kraniac.

Our shower leaks, I stand under it, and it drains out. We have a neat handle that stops it until we need it again.

I installed a shut-off valve. Still the water is leaking right through it from above valve down to the shower head :-( I think we need to break the tiles to get into the wall itself. That is the work I will have to leave to the pro.

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SoCal for now.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2007 09:39AM by kap.