This morning the hot water shower valve did not completely shut off the water. After playing with it a bit, I finally closed the flow. Later my wife took a shower and the same problem existed. Again, I finally shut the flow. Taking the valve covers off and looking aty the stem and other hardware, I thought the possible replacement to be beyond my capabilities and way beyond the tools I have.
I called the friendly plumber who came over for an evaluation. First he stated that I had Sterling company valves and the company is out of business. The replacement parts they are getting do not fit correctly and there are many problems with this.
He suggested that I replace the two valve system for a single valve job which would entail a bit of work. Needless to state the price may be in-line with the present day market but it seemed a bit much.
However, my question are:
Is the Sterling valve company out of business and replacement parts are not very good replacements and therefore a new hot and cold water valves should be installed?
He also suggested a single valve system instead of the two valve system although he will do either--but the single one was his suggestion as being a better job.
Finally, to do either job he explained that he had to get to the piping behind the shower wall to make any valve replacement because they are soldered in place as opposed to the old screw-in valves . As explained, the sterling system is soldered and cannot be simply screwed out and replaced as such. Is he correct about the soldering and therefore any replacement becomes more costly?
Anyone who would offer ANY suggestions or thoughts or even any comments that would give me some idea towards which direction I should go would be greatly appreciated.
I would even accept as being very helpful a suggestion that I find a different mechanic if you feel that the one I had was hyping a bigger job than necessary
Thankyou
I called the friendly plumber who came over for an evaluation. First he stated that I had Sterling company valves and the company is out of business. The replacement parts they are getting do not fit correctly and there are many problems with this.
He suggested that I replace the two valve system for a single valve job which would entail a bit of work. Needless to state the price may be in-line with the present day market but it seemed a bit much.
However, my question are:
Is the Sterling valve company out of business and replacement parts are not very good replacements and therefore a new hot and cold water valves should be installed?
He also suggested a single valve system instead of the two valve system although he will do either--but the single one was his suggestion as being a better job.
Finally, to do either job he explained that he had to get to the piping behind the shower wall to make any valve replacement because they are soldered in place as opposed to the old screw-in valves . As explained, the sterling system is soldered and cannot be simply screwed out and replaced as such. Is he correct about the soldering and therefore any replacement becomes more costly?
Anyone who would offer ANY suggestions or thoughts or even any comments that would give me some idea towards which direction I should go would be greatly appreciated.
I would even accept as being very helpful a suggestion that I find a different mechanic if you feel that the one I had was hyping a bigger job than necessary
Thankyou