Dripping Shower

[BradM]

I have a shower in one of my bathrooms that that won't stop dripping and it's getting worse by the day. There are 2 handles and I'm pretty sure it is the cold side that is not fully shutting off.

Am I going to have to rip the tile out or is there someting I can replace in the handle assembly to fix this?

Any help will be great. I would just tear into it but plumbing has always scared me. At least if I screw this up it has a place for the water to drain when it starts spraying all over the place. :D

[blackjack]

i just had this, there is a seal in handles and on in the head u can replace with no issues, if that doesnt work(as mine didnt) i had to cut a whole in the wall behind it and fix it sucked!!

[Vertnut]

Just cut your water off at the main first, then take your time. It's usually the little rubber pieces that wear and won't seal. Sometimes it's whole valve, but if you can tell which side it comes from, it's probably the easy fix.

[BradM]

Thanks for the info guys. I hope it's just a rubber seal/washer type thing. I doubt that part of the plumbing has been touched since the house was built in the 70's so it's probably about time for the rubber parts to give it up.

[lbt]

Let me know if you need any help.

..........LBT

[To Many Mustangs]

The part that's bad is called a valve seat seal. It is a little black O that sits on the valve seat to close off the flow of water from either the hot or cold supply side. You do it from the front. Don't make any holes! Just turn the main off before you begin.

You need a valve seat wrench and a seat grinder, then one new seal. It is easy to do but try and find a how-to book to follow step-by-steps.

Have fun.

[BradM]

Just wanted to let you guys know I fixed it ad your advice was spot on. The valve seat had a nice gash in it. went ahead and replaced it along with new seal/gasket. No more drips!

Thanks again!