Shower Plumbing Repairs, Installation, and Replacements

Shower Plumbing Repairs, Installation, and Replacements

Shower Plumbing Repairs from McNabb Plumbing

The bathroom is one of the most–if not the most—plumbed rooms, which means there are a lot of opportunities for problems to arise, and the plumbing in your shower is no exception. This is especially true if you have a bigger shower with multiple shower heads and accessories. Shower plumbing leaks, along with less-than-desirable water pressure and temperature, are some of the issues that can arise with your shower plumbing. McNabb Plumbing is the choice to solve any of your shower plumbing repair needs.

Common Shower Plumbing Problems

Do you remember the college apartment shower you had with low water pressure that was never quite hot enough for you? Are you experiencing some of the same problems in your home’s shower? While water temperature problems can often times be traced to your water heater, shower plumbing problems can also be to blame. If you have hot water everywhere in the house except for your shower, then most likely it is not a water heater problem.

Showers contain mixing valves that help regulate the hot and cold water flow to your shower head, blending hot and cold water together in order to give you the proper water temperature. If these valves wear out or are positioned incorrectly, it can affect your water temperature.

Also, many shower faucets have an anti-scald device located under the faucet head. This device is essentially a “stopper” that functions by limiting hot water flow to your shower head in order to prevent burns from scalding water. If this device is set improperly, it can be limiting the amount of hot water flowing from your shower head.

Another problem that can affect your shower is low water pressure.  There are multiple reasons for low shower-head pressure.

  1. Sediment or mineral build up in your shower head. Over time, mineral build-up can clog your shower head, reducing the water pressure. This can be caused by hardwater buildup, which is prevalent in the Pittsburgh area. A whole-house water filtration system would certainly help. A buildup can also be due to work being done outside your house on water mains, for example.
  2. Your water pressure regulator can be set too low. Your water pressure regulator lowers the municipal water pressure, which can be as high as 230 psi when it comes into your house. Normal pressure is 65-70 psi.
  3. Showerhead regulators can restrict water flow. Many shower heads come with a build in built-in regulator to conserve water.
  4. Mineral buildup in the supply pipes leading to your shower.
  5. Worst of all: leaks in your pipes.

While a competent do-it-yourselfer can remove a shower head and clean out any mineral or sediment buildup and even remove a shower head regulator, most of the other issues are best left to the certified pros at McNabb plumbing.

Another problem that can affect showers is a clogged shower drain. Often, a clogged drain can be the result of hair built up in the drain and can be solved by the homeowner.  In order to solve this problem, a homeowner can remove the shower drain cover. Usually, this requires removing a couple of screws. Be sure to put the cover and screws in a safe place so they can be put back on.  The best remedy is to use either baking soda, vinegar, or BioSmart monthly. Be sure to allow the baking soda and/or vinegar time to dissolve whatever is clogging the drain, and then run the shower to see if the water is draining correctly. It may take multiple attempts to solve the problem. If this doesn’t solve the problem, it’s time for professional intervention.

Just an FYI: poisonous/corrosive drain cleaners are just what they say they are—“poisonous and corrosive”! They can eat holes in some aging pipes, leading to more damage. Also, it is important that you inform your technician if you have used any poisonous materials in your drain!

When You Just Can’t Repair Your Shower By Yourself

Your shower typically accounts for about 20% of your daily water use and is an important part of most people’s day. No one wants to take a cold shower with low water pressure. And no one wants to deal with the potential problems that come from faulty shower plumber.

While we at McNabb Plumbing respect the DIYer and weekend warrior, we know that sometimes a more professional approach is needed to solve your plumbing needs. We start with the simplest solutions such as inspection of the shower head and valves and work to more professional solutions such as inferred and camera inspection and hydrostatic pressure testing. This approach allows us to detect and repair your plumbing problems in the least invasive way possible so that you are back to enjoying your shower as soon as possible. Our courteous staff will work with you to provide you with the most convenient and permanent plumbing solutions.

Schedule Your Appointment

We invite you to schedule an appointment with us to visit your site and help solve your problem. We are an award-winning company with decades of experience serving the Pittsburgh area and would love to help you.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If you are not 100% satisfied with the service we have provided, (barring cost) we will refund your money. If our plumbers smoke or are disrespectful in your home, are not drug tested, or leave your home without cleaning up, you do not pay for the service. If a repair or equipment that we have provided and installed fails in the first year, we will repair it again–no charge.

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