Bath volume

[xd2005]

I recently purchased a mid-60''s vintage home. The bath/shower has a three handle valve. I'very noticed the tub seems to have very little water volume. Furthermore, if I turn hot on all the way, I do not seem to see an increase in volume when turning on the cold as well.

The shower seems to work great. I haven't tested, but it's possible that it fills the tub faster than the tub spout

Additional info, the lines to the tub are 1/2" copper. I took the stems out of the three valves and nothing popped out as unusual to me.

Thoughts on what's driving lower water volume for tub (vs shower, possibly)? Is it simply an issue with 1/2" lines?

Thanks!

 

[Terry]

Are you sure you have copper all the way from the water heater?
Mid sixties could also have some galvanized in the mix. It may be that you are overdue for a repipe, or it could be an issue with the center diverter on the three handle valve too.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Reach4]

The shower seems to work great. I haven't tested, but it's possible that it fills the tub faster than the tub spout

How long does it take the tub spout to fill a 5 gallon bucket with cold only, and how long with hot+cold?

 

[xd2005]

I can follow the entire pipe and all is copper. It starts as 3/4, but for some reason they switched to 1/2 at some point.

I'll time a bucket momentarily.

 

[xd2005]

Cold only - 2:50
Cold + hot - 2:50
Cold shower - 1:50

 

[Dj2]

The 1/2" pipes are not the issue, based on the info you gave.
Remove the spout, and see if you have galv from the rough in to the spout. Check the spout visually.
Also turn on the water to the bath, with the spout off and see if the symptom persists.

 

[xd2005]

Was able to get under the house with the Mrs.' help in diagnosing. Two items: sure enough, it's galvanized between diverter and spout. Second, it's also leaking. Fun project in the future. Fortunately, it backs up to a closet so I have room to cut out the backside to work.

 

[Jadnashua]

Why people think galvanized is a good thing in a modern supply system is beyond me. glad you found the problem. Brass or copper is your best bet. Prior to this, did you notice any rust stains or discolored water upon initial use? That's a cardinal symptom of steel in the supply line somewhere. Once that happens, bigger problems are not far down the road.

 

[xd2005]

I had a chance to dig into this today. The leak is actually coming from the diverter stem where it screws into the body. I purchased the rebuild kit and we have replaced the diverter stem washer and plastic bonnet with the two plastic washers provided in the kit (as well as replacing the other parts).

The spacing seems correct with the two replacement washers. However, it continues to leak around the stem, between the diverter body and the stem.

Suggestions on what we may be missing? We are considering putting a rubber O-ring on the stem housing in place of one of the plastic washers to see if we can get a better seal, but also assume there is a reason PP uses two plastic washers and not a rubber O-ring. Thanks!

 

[xd2005]

It looks like the stem, btw, is 10I-10D.

 

[Jadnashua]

Plastic will probably wear better than rubber, but it may be that you need to snug up the bonnet nut a slight bit more to cause them to create the seal. Get it too tight, and you won't be able to turn the handle. On old valves, they used different packing materials. The shape of the bonnet nut causes it to compress the seal as you tighten it.

 

[xd2005]

Sorry for confusion. We're talking where the entire valve screws into the diverter body.

 

[Dj2]

xd2005,
You have spent and invested so much already and you still have a leak. Maybe it's the original faucet...could be a 57 year old faucet...

It makes no sense to me to continue with this faucet, now that we know that the thread is leaking. This is beyond fixing.

Just replace the faucet and be done with it. If you have access from the back of the bathroom wall (a closet or a hallway), it's fairly easy to do for DIY.
Or, hire a plumber, if you can't handle it.

 

[xd2005]

Yeah, we're on the same page.