Shower Pressure on Hot & Integral Stops

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popnbrown

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I've started to notice that the pressure of water from my shower head when it's hot water gradually decreases. It stays "good" for about a minute and a half then reduces pretty drastically.

I've been told by my condo maintenance that the shower cartridge likely needs to be replaced and suggested I call a plumber. I wanted to poke around a bit myself, instead of spending money on a plumber.

Since I'm in a condo I can't turn off the main water, and I do have integral stops going to my shower cartridge. However, I spent about 30 minutes turning them and they seem to go in, but continue to be turnable. Twisting the shower catridge also releases water through the spout, which to me indicates that the stops aren't fully turned.

So two questions:
a) is the diagnosis on the shower cartridge right? Should I check something else?
b) How do I know when the integral stops are tightened? How long does it take to tighten them and am I even doing it right? (just using a minus screwdriver to go at them)

-Sravan
 

hj

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If they do not "stop" turning then they should be "1/4 turn" valve which are off when the slots are 90 degrees from the direction of the pipe, which usually means the slot is vertical/up and down.
 

popnbrown

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Awesome! Thank you.

Due to my turning they're in quite a bit than when they were originally. So they have gone "into" the pipe. Should I turn them back so they come out?

Also..turns out that it was something to do with the stops or me pulling on the cartridge for a bit. The hot water showerhead pressure issue seems to be solved (I got sick of not showering for more than a day).

-Sravan
 

Jadnashua

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1/4-turn valves typically do not screw in or out, they just rotate. If the valves you turned actually moved in, and did not seal, the seal may be bad - BUT, they should eventually bottom out if they are that type.
 

popnbrown

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This is strange, I can get pictures to show them when I get home but the certainly seemed to screw in. Although the screw in didn't do anything, turning them 90 degrees to the pipe did do something.

Are there 1/4-turn valves that CAN bottom out?
 

Jadnashua

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1/4-turn valves may have a stop, but there is no screw mechanism on them.
 
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