Drip, drip, drip

MyBrownEyedBoy wrote: Man I hate that noise. Our shower is dripping. It's been doing it for the past 2 weeks. I have taken apart the valve and replaced a washer and the valve's been replaced once already. I can't tighten the valve anymore and I can't crank shut the valve because the numbnuts who originally put the plumbing in put the hot water valve in so it turns the wrong way. If I crank it shut, it actually turns the valve. I had the darn thing blow water all over the place one time when it came out of the wall. I think my only option at this point is to have the entire valve system redone. Which means ripping out some tiles and some of the wall in back and replacing some plumbing. Not something I can do on my own and something that sounds like it could be pricy. I'll have to call a few plumbers and have some estimates done. Maybe this is the time to put in the shower enclosure I want so I don't have to clean tiles anymore. Grrrr!! I can't stand the dripping noise. I'll have to keep the bathroom door closed. At least it's not where I could hear it all night.

redchief replied: How old is the faucet? You said you replaced the washer - is it a rubber washer on the end of the stem fastened on by a screw?

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: The faucet is probably original to the shower which was probably put in over 15 years ago. It was there when we moved in. And yes, the washer was on the end of a stem fastened with a screw. Could it have been screwed on too tight?

redchief replied: No. When you took the old washer off, what did it look like? Was it frayed? Was it etched deeply?

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: It looked kind of squished. The washer I had to replace it with was kind of conical, that one was more flattened. And the edges may have been slightly frayed. I don't remember any etchings. Ed, am I going to have to reseat this thing? I've done it once with my dad at the cabin, I could probably do it again, but it is in a kind of awkward position. Not like the kitchen sink one at the cabin.

redchief replied:
Yep.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Oh, man. I hate that. But if it saves me a few thousand dollars, it's worth the trouble. Thanks, Ed, I wouldn't have thought of that. Guess I needed a brain jog

redchief replied: I'll be happy to jog your brain anytime.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Kelly - could you put a bowl with a cloth in it to catch the water drip? At the very least the cloth will muffle the sound.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: At the rate it drips, i'd be emptying the bowl pretty often. At least I won't have to worry about the pipes freezing. LOL. I'll have to try the cloth in a bowl, that repetitive sound is one of my least favorites.

TheOaf66 replied: sorry to hear that, gotta love the messes that other people leave for ya. When we were redoing the grout and fixtures in our bathroom this last weekend I had a similar situation so I sympathize.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Well you wouldn't have to empty the bowl... it would empty itself when it's full... the water will fall over the edge. But you won't hear the "thud thud thud"



I hate that sound too. Did you know that in ancient times, in China, they'd use dripping water on the forehead as a method of torture?

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: Heck they wouldn't even have had to put the drip on me. I go nuts with it in the next room, I can't imagine it dripping in my face or something. I did do the bowl, with a hand towel inside it. It does muffle the drip, thanks, Rocky.