welcome home repair advice do it yourselves type
home dividerline sitemap dividerline contact us
 
links
household-helper Plumbing Topics back
 

Topic:Stuck-on shower handle and shower shut-off valves

I have a leak in the shower and I think I can fix it if I can get the handle off however, I'm not able to take the handles off. I have removed the cover and unscrewed the screw and tried to pull the handle off with no luck. Is there some trick that I'm not aware. I've went to another bathroom and did the same thing and the handle comes right off. I can't figure it out.

One last item. I can't figure out where to shut the water off for this shower. I tried the sink in both bathrooms with no luck. I even went as far a looking behind the wall where tub pipes run. I just can't find a shut off valves. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

The handle is stuck on from years of corrosion and scuz from soaps etc. This is really common. Many times you can simply pry gently from the back of the handle to get them off, or try Liquid Wrench penetrating oil for a few days in the hole where the screw was. Once you get it loose enough to start wiggling it should come off. Be careful not to put too much force on it and break the stem. Also be ready to replace the handles as sometimes the are so corroded that they strip when you remove them.
note this Many people try to use WD-40 as penetrating oil. This is not the same and will not work. I recommend strongly using the Liquid Wrench.

As for the shut off, you most likely don't have on just for the shower. In most cases the water needs to be shut off at the main where it enters the house. If you're lucky, there may be a zone valve in the basement to just shut off the bathroom instead of the entire house.