For topics generally relating to the design, materials, fixtures, construction, maintenance, and other specialized considerations of a shower enclosure, typically located within a bathroom.
6
votes
2answers
6k views
What is causing a whistling sound coming from my upstairs bathroom?
My upstairs shower is causing a high-pitched whistling sound when it's running and there is a showerhead attached. If I remove the showerhead, but keep the water flowing, the whistling noise stops. It ...
4
votes
2answers
430 views
What kind of material do I need above the tile line in my shower?
I have a shower with original, 100-year-old tile.
The tile and the drywall-like material above the tile line has survived well, but we're planning to replace it in the entire bathroom due to ...
6
votes
2answers
568 views
How do I treat mold and mildew in shower grout?
I have a tiled shower in an older house, and it's been a struggle to keep the grout clear of mold and mildew. I'm planning on installing a bathroom vent to prevent future buildup, but in the ...
2
votes
1answer
681 views
How do I keep my shower handle's entire stem from spinning?
I unscrewed the knob and pulled it off, then took of the escutcheon, then removed the entire valve body.
The stem screws in and out of the valve body which is what controls the water flow.
The valve ...
22
votes
12answers
4k views
Is there a technique to make a shower mirror fog-free?
We want to install a permanent mirror in a new shower, but hope to find a permanent way to prevent it from fogging up.
I have seen gooseneck mirrors that hook up to the showerhead itself so as to run ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
How can I stop my shower turning too hot and too cold?
There's something wrong with the plumbing, because the shower temperature simply will not stay constant. It gradually changes to either scalding hot, or freezing cold while it's running.
The ...
4
votes
1answer
402 views
Tub Faucet Sticks Out From Wall. How do I fix it?
My bathtub faucet sticks out from the wall so far that you can see the hole in the tile where the pipe comes out.
I am a bit perplexed on how to fix this issue. I have an access hole on the other ...
1
vote
1answer
675 views
What recessed shower light cover is this?
We have a recessed shower light fixture and the cover is melted (thank you previous owners...). But I can't figure out what this thing is called or where I can get a replacement.
I've attached a few ...
3
votes
2answers
711 views
Low Pressure From Shower Head Troubleshooting
The water pressure from the shower head in one of my bathrooms is extremely low. The pressure coming out of the faucet of the bath is low as well. It has not always had this low pressure, it has ...
1
vote
3answers
680 views
ceiling mount shower curtain rod
I am currently (slowly) re-modeling a small bathroom (about 32 sq/ft) and I have small problem with the shower curtain rod. The space is small, and one of the walls that the shower curtain rod would ...
2
votes
1answer
198 views
Help identifying thermostatic mixer (shower temperature control)
I have the following valve in my shower.
I thought it was a Grohe, but after contacting their support - it seems it is not.
There is something wrong with the valve, not letting us decrease the ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Handheld showerhead backflow preventer
Every year my rental house is inspected by the city. Last time the inspector told me to add a backflow preventer (one-way check valve) to the handheld showerhead in the bathroom. The showerhead is ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Mounting shower curtain rod to tile
In my new place my shower is tile and has a spring loaded shower curtain rod. I have my curved rod from a previous residence and would like to mount it. I can operate a drill, but I have never gone ...
1
vote
1answer
408 views
Shower gets colder during use, already replaced cartridge, what else could it be?
Recently purchased a house built in 2006. The shower gets colder as time passes and requires constant adjustment of the valve in order to maintain temperature. I replaced the cartridge in the valve ...
3
votes
1answer
387 views
Shower head washer woes
I was installing a new shower head (Brand: Niagara Earth), and apparently overtightened it, cracking the washer in the process. Unfortunately, it seems to be a specialty type of washer that has an ...
5
votes
0answers
143 views
Recommendations for particular brand/models of shower enclosures? [closed]
We have a partially finished basement. Our unfinished laundry had a toilet and sink in the corner. Both are ancient and we're going to replace them. Still, they're in the corner of our laundry room, ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the minimum required distance from a shower to an electrical outlet?
In Fairfax County Virginia, what is the minimum distance that an outlet must be from a shower in the bathroom? Does the minimum distance change if it is GFI outlet?
1
vote
2answers
10k views
What type of tile should I install in a bath/shower surround?
I am about to remodel our bathroom. Currently the tub/shower is all tiled but the backing is not secure/stable so there is cracking in the grout and I know water is getting behind. I prefer the look ...
1
vote
1answer
419 views
Basement shower drain backing up when washing machine runs
When running washing machine, water backs up through a nearby shower drain and makes a gurgling noise. How do I solve this problem?
0
votes
2answers
326 views
What can I do with mold under grouting?
In my new place, there's a semi-transparent grouting/glaze over the corners of my shower - and there's mold growing beneath them?
Is this normal? How can I fix it?
5
votes
1answer
909 views
Why is my shower faucet turning itself off?
My shower has a wall mount single lever faucet similar to this: http://www.cn-faucet.com/Wall-Mount-Single-Lever-Faucets-141.html
Over time, it has become more sensitive and now, in most angles, ...
3
votes
3answers
998 views
1
vote
1answer
199 views
Shower faucet ring won't budge
I'm in the middle of repairing a leaky shower faucet but I can't remove a certain ring from the faucet mechanism. I have sprayed the area with WD-40 and will try again in the morning. Below are some ...
2
votes
2answers
533 views
Is it possible to install a pump to fix a slow drain?
We have a combination shower/tub enclosure in our bathroom here in Norway. The floor drain in our bathroom was placed in a very unfortunate location, such that the water draining from the tub/shower ...
2
votes
1answer
357 views
Can't get threaded connector all the way into shower faucet. Do they need to go all the way?
We're installing a small corner shower in one of our washrooms, and I'm having an issue with the threaded inlet/outlet connections on the faucet.
I'm using Sharkbite, and bought some ...
0
votes
1answer
170 views
Can I replace a shower door that has one edge joining with another glass pane?
I had a shower door that wouldn't close anymore and the hinges were generally rotting and it was falling apart. The original construction was shoddy.
The shower consists of a door with one edge of ...
6
votes
2answers
429 views
Shower water going under the shower curtain
I have a shower over my bath, but due to the shape of the bath the shower curtain does not cover the entire length of the bath, so sometimes water is getting under the curtain and on to the carpet.
...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
Is there an easy way to remove silicone sealant?
Is there an easy way to remove silicone sealant?
Having had mouldy sealant have replaced with MicroBan to stop the mould coming back but is there any tips on getting the stuff off for next time?
My ...
1
vote
3answers
433 views
Screaming shower head (the sequel)
See also this question:
I recently soaked my Moen shower head in vinegar for a day to fix a problem where the center jets which pulsate were not working. Inside is an impeller of some kind and I ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the best way to install a shower curtain when one wall is sloped
I have a converted attic bedroom with a bathroom. I want to install a curtain rod, but one side of the rod has to connect to a sloped wall (the roof). What would be the best way to install a rod in ...
9
votes
5answers
6k views
Why does my shower switch keep burning out?
I have a Mira Shower 10.8 kW.
My switch is a 45A switch. I have a 50A fuse for the shower. The shower uses 10mm2 cable.
9 months ago the switch sparked and refused to turn off and the fuse ...
7
votes
4answers
4k views
Is my shower drain leaking under the slab?
My wife & I renovated our master shower a couple years ago. About three months ago, we noticed the baseboards in the guest bathroom (on the other side of the wall from the master bath) were ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I secure a shower curtain rod?
In my bathroom I have one of those spring-loaded shower curtain rods that you twist to get tight. When any real weight is on it, it moves, and if it moves enough, the whole thing comes crashing down.
...
4
votes
2answers
390 views
How do I remove this shower fixture?
I'm a little desperate here. When we moved into this home, we inherited this shower fixture. Now it's leaking. But, I can't figure out how to remove it!?
I've tried to back it all the way off ...
3
votes
1answer
640 views
Why is my third floor hot water pressure so low?
The hot water pressure in our 3rd floor shower is very low. The 2nd floor shower however, has very good pressure. The problem is not the shower head, which actually produces great pressure when ...
1
vote
1answer
788 views
What precautions should I take installing tile on a backerboard in an area surrounded by cement?
I had to have my old three-handle tub faucet replaced by a plumber, because the valves in the handles were rotted into the handle bodies. When the tile came off, we found that the wall behind the ...
6
votes
1answer
600 views
Why does flushing a toilet or running a clothes washer sometimes change shower temperature?
Admittedly, this isn't something that is happening to me but I'm curious: I've heard that in some houses, flushing toilets or running a clothes washer sometimes changes the water temperature for ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does our shower make a screaming noise?
Our shower has a problem...It's very loud! When water hits the correct temperature and flow the shower immediately starts shrieking like a banshee.
It seems to be related to the flow because we can ...
3
votes
1answer
124 views
Suggestions for preventing water from building on a shower window that is below shoulder level?
Location: California | United States
Hello all,
I have a window near my bath/shower that is slightly below shoulder level (which is now a violation of code in my area but got grandfathered in with ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What are some permanent shower shelf options?
I have found shower caddies and suction cup add-ons, but I want to add shelves to my shower surround that are permanent. I haven't had much lucking finding anything. What are my options, and where ...
8
votes
2answers
718 views
With a shower, should the edge where the wall meets the floor be caulked, or is grout okay?
Some of the shower tiles have come loose in my shower and need repair (specifically the ones at the base of the wall). There's no 'tub' per-se, the whole thing is tiled, and it looks like whoever ...
2
votes
1answer
398 views
Can I replace an improperly supported tub easily?
I have a fiberglass garden tub in the home I just bought that wasn't installed right. The far side has no support under the lip and as a result it likes to loose its seal to the tiles above. My ...
2
votes
1answer
734 views
Do I need a stud on each side to install a swinging shower door?
I recently started looking into installing a glass shower door for my stall shower. The shower is a one-piece fiberglass pre-fab shower. I assume I need a stud on at least one side of the door to ...
3
votes
2answers
618 views
Will I be able to replace the tub and shower fixtures in my [apartment] home myself?
I live in a roughly-50 year-old apartment building and would like to renovate the bathroom myself. I've tiled and replaced sinks and toilets in the past, but I'm unsure about replacing the tub and ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
What is the practical difference between cement board and greenboard?
When installing tubs I've mostly used cementboard. I find it a bear to work with though.
A guy I know uses the water resistant greenboard; he claims that for home applications it is entirely ...
6
votes
1answer
174 views
Why does it take a long time for water to start draining from my tub faucet?
Sorry for the awkwardly worded title, I couldn't really describe the issue in one sentence.
My shower has a handle that controls both pressure and temperature. To begin showering, I turn the handle, ...
36
votes
8answers
22k views
How can I improve the water pressure in my shower?
I recently purchased my first home. It has two bathrooms and the water pressure in both is less than ideal. What are some steps I can take to increase the pressure?
5
votes
4answers
12k views
Why won't my shower's temperature handle let the water get hot enough?
Whenever I go to take a shower, I have to turn the handle to the absolute hottest setting just to avoid freezing. I know the hot water works in my house, so that's not the issue. It just seems like I ...
