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Author:
Shahidikram (KY)
I have a delta 1700 series shower valve that is installed in a stall shower with no tub.
The water pressure in the shower has dropped. I have changed the valve itself and all gaskets. The pressure is still low. I believe there is some debris, most likely some calcium build up, that is clogging the area that feeds into the small shower opening within the valve assembly.
Short of unsoldering the plug that plugs the down flow and cleaning the area out, is there anything else I should try?
Can I pour down CLR in through the shower head pipe down into the valve area and hope that will clean out any calcified or rust clog? Will it damage anything else. We have plastic pipes for plumbing in the wall.
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Author:
m & m (MD)
Hydrochloric acid would do the best job on calcium/scale. Just be sure to run the shower for 3-4 minutes afterward to flush it out.
We have to assume that you have ruled out the shower head.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
Shahidikram (KY)
Yes. Flow with the shower head removed is much less than before or compared to other showers.
Since the valve cartridge itself does not seem blocked. ( I changed that, and that did not help)., I assume the debris is small. But how can it clog the opening to the the riser pipe is the mystery??
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Author:
csda634 (CT)
I had a similar issue recently, and I determined it to be mineral deposits in my mixer valve in the basement near the boiler. I got a repair kit, new seals, etc and good as new. That was after I had replaced the valve cartridge on the shower valve.
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Author:
Shahidikram (KY)
Our problem is only in the one shower. I do believe though that the debris came from a water heater. We have two and is not normally used. This happened after we had brought the second (electric) water heater on line.
I have replaced the cartridge and all seals in that valve. The only thing left is the valve brass fittings that are soldered into the inlet pipes and shower riser in the wall. That's why I am considering putting CLR instead of having a plumber disassemble the assembly in the wall and clean it that way.
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Author:
Shahidikram (KY)
I read on the CLR can that it is not recommended to be used on brass and copper.
And someone said it may have a bad effect on the valve cartridge which is made of plastic.
Is there a safe way or time limit for which to use CLR in this way?
Is there a safer alternative which would be equally effective?
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Author:
packy (MA)
i don't know if this is any milder but it too will work..
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