Water Pressure to Shower Head in Tub/Shower is Low

**Milanomike** · 03-09-2013, 12:13 PM

Hi Guys,

Need some help here, 10 year old Am Std pressure balance tub/shower kit (pressure balance valve R120 or R125 series). Diverter valve leaked really bad, little water to shower. Replaced spout/diverter valve, no more leaking at spout, good!. However, pressure to shower head is only a bit better. Disassembled and cleaned shower head, seems fine; however, pressure at shower head with no head on it is not great, water should shoot out of there at decent pressure. By the way, not a "big box" unit, learned long ago to buy this stuff at plumbing supply place.

Took cartridge off and it looks fine, should I just replace it?

Was wondering is I should completely disassemble pressure balance unit. There is a plastic piece with an o-ring in the manifold, not sure if this comes out, did not want to break it. I think I completely disassembled when I soldered this thing in during remodel 10 yrs back, but can't recall for sure. Can this be completely disassembled and cleaned? Seems like I want to make sure manifold is not plugged/clogged, right?

Other options, don't really want to tear into this, but daughter needs shower to work.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Mike

**LLigetfa** · 03-09-2013, 12:21 PM

Has the volume of water out of the tub spout changed since you "fixed" it? If you are now getting less water out of the spout, then there is a high probability that some crud got stirred up and is now affecting the pressure balance cartridge. The spout and the shower share the same supply and cartridge.

**Milanomike** · 03-09-2013, 12:29 PM

No, water pressure/volume to tub is fine before and after. It's the pressure to the shower that is considerably lower. Guess I could swap shower heads from the other bath to make sure it's not the shower head. Will report back.