Temptrol shower valve problems
Melissa Vascio
putting out cold water. Symmons lists this common problem on their
website, <http://www.symmons.com/service/product_info.cfm#Q6>
and first fix is to remove the handle and tap the spindle a few times
with a rubber hammer. That didn't work.
Next, the solution is to remove the spindle assembly.
<http://www.symmons.com/ins/temptrol_ins.pdf#page=5> (pdf file)
Here's where I'm having trouble. I can't remove the cap (part T12-A).
I've taken a wrench to it and it won't budge despite a lot of torque.
I'm afraid to apply any more force on the wrench because the valve is
supported by the plumbing inside the wall.
Has anyone had this problem or know what to do? Perhaps heating it a
little with a torch would expand the cap enough to unscrew. Thanks!
Speedy Jim
Torch might work. If necessary, put a sheet metal heat shield
behind the part to keep heat away from parts that might get damaged.
And wear safety glasses!! I'vd had hot particles explode out.
Jim
Jeff Wisnia
If you can manage it, it would work best to heat the body, around the
cap you are trying to remove, so it expands away from the cap.
Remove the diverter valve and the stop spindle assembly (if you can)
before you heat things, to minimize the number of elastomer parts you
might fry.
Oh, and when you're getting new parts, pick up a new O-ring (N0.24) for
the diverter valve. When those get old and start to leak, they drip
BEHIND the wall, and you don't know about it until you notice water
damage, like on the ceiling of a room below.
You might want to do what I did to all three Temptrol valves in our
home. I added little sloping sheet brass chutes under them, stuck on
with silicone caulk. These direct any leakage from the diverter valves
to the "front" of the wall behind the escutchion, where it can safely
drip down the tiles and into the bathtubs.
HTH,
Jeff
--
My name is Jeff Wisnia and I approved this message....
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"
chrisco
I had a stuck T-12A cap and was able to get it off with WD-40 and an
upgrade to a real 14" pipe wrench. My puny monkey wrench was not the
right tool for the job. I sprayed the WD40 completely around the cap
seam and let it sit for 30 minutes. Save the torch as a last resort -
lots of meltables inside the temptrol.
fwiw...Chris