Shower knob problem, very annoying!?
Question:When I'm done showering and go to shut the water off, it is very difficult/too tight to twist to turn off (the knob is the one where you pull out to turn on, twist back in, to turn off). Takes me forever to shut off the water, even my bf can't do it. When we finally shut it off, the knob won't stay tight and water goes back on lighty.What to do? it's very annoying!
Answers:
From your description, it sounds like a Moen valve. It is serviceable. Need to shut off the water to the house, pop the center cover off the knob, remove the screw that is holding the handle on. Now the stem is exposed. You may need to remove the two long screws that hold the outer bezel or wall plate on as well.
There is a small internal clip that holds the stem inside the valve body that needs to be removed. It is "horseshoe" shaped and slides out from the side of the valve body. It's called the "retainer clip". Refer to the diagram in the included link. Once the clip is out, you can grab the stem with pliers and pull it out. It may be hard to do but keep working it out. There is a special tool if it's stuck but that's for the pros. Too expensive for a one-off repair.
Make sure you get the whole thing, not just the inner stem. It is TWO parts, the inner stem and a sleeve that surrounds it. this is the complete cartridge assembly.
Take the stem/cartridge to the hardware store and match it up. It will have two parts. An outer housing with rubber O-rings on it that seal it to the valve body in the wall and an inner stem with more O-rings that fits inside the outer housing. Lubricate the outer O-rings (the inner ones should already be lubricated from the factory) and slide it into the valve body that is still in the wall. Replace the clip, make sure it's "seated" in the groove. If it won't seat, the cartridge is not all the way in and will shoot out when the water is turned on. Interesting but messy. Pull it out and check the O-rings have not come out of their grooves and nothing is inside the valve body that is preventing the cartridge from seating all the way in. Install the clip and turn the water back on. Check for leaks and smooth operation. If okay, re-install the trim plate, handle and cover cap. You should be good to go.
I would say it's time to replace that knob. Get one of the new antiscald type ones and change it out. You can set them for whatever temp you want and it will go there every time. Easy to turn and and just as easy to turn off. Yours must be getting full of grime and calcium deposits etc.
you need a new "stem" available at any hardware store.
most shower control are easy to rebuild,just get the make a go to local hardware store for parts,turn water off first
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