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Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Just a couple of minutes ago something broke in my shower faucet. Now water is coming out there whenever the pump is on or I'm connected to city water. Bad timing - I have to be somewhere in 30 minutes.

I'm attaching two photos. Maybe someone can give me tips how to fix this. Also, how do I get the left thing off so that the whole faucet comes off? Is it possible to get the necessary parts at Home Depot?

Thanks, Nick
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #1 –
Did you try re-attaching/re-seating the part that came off and then replacing the faucet handles?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #2 –
Hi Nick. That 'thing' that came off is the top half of the valve body. The valve stem with the faucet 'cold water' adjust turns the flow up and down. I couldn't tell from picture one, if the little tabs that snap in to the bottom part are broken off or just came unsnapped apart. Possibly too much force trying to turn off the knob could just pop the two halves apart.
   You didn't say which floor plan you have, but you should have access from behind to unscrew the entire valve and remove it from where it is.  Be advised that plumbing for a motorhome is often not supported in local hardware stores. RV stores such as Camping World, maybe some WalMarts might have those faucets.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #3 –
Nick, I think both Joan and Ron are nudging you in the right direction.  If the part can be snapped back in, that may be all that is needed.  Before you try snapping it in, turn the stem to mid-range, lest it prevent the part from going back on.  My faucet style is a bit different, but has the nylon components.  I broke it, turning the handle too hard.  I learned that there are no serviceable components on mine.  My only option was replacement.

If you can't get the part back on, you will need to replace the faucet assembly.  To do that, remove the access panel on the other side of the wall.  Look at the setup, measure the hole spacing, make sure you understand the way the shower head attaches, then try, first, a good plumbing supply house, second, an RV shop like Camping World, or third, the mothership.  When you do the replacement, you will need caulk to seal the attachment.  Check with the mothership to determine what kind to use.  I believe they recommend a urethane caulk.  You don't want 3M 5200 for this job, as you may need to do it again some day.  Andy Baird once suggested doing jobs like this in the Home Depot parking lot.  It makes getting another part a lot easier.  I agree.  If you drop a small part in that open access panel, good luck finding it!

If you MUST get back in operation before you can get a replacement faucet, open the access panel, remove the hose connections to the faucet, and get a plug from a plumbing or hardware store to cap the hoses.  You should then be able to use the toilet and sinks until you get a faucet.

Good luck.  I feel your pain.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #4 –
   Now on my iPhone only. 2001 MB (also in signature). I think something broke. How do I get to the “behind” of this faucet in my model?  Will try to find a Camping World  store where I am right now (Temecula/Aguanga, CA).
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #5 –

Ken - great idea to plug the hoses. I will try to do that tomorrow on the parking lot of Home Depot (that is also a great idea). No shower is a lot less uncomfortable than no water at all.

I am until Monday at the Jojoba Hills RV Resort in Aguanga and have full hookups and have right now a hose with a shutoff valve going through the bathroom window. Not very comfortable but still better than nothing (and my drinking water is anyway reverse osmosis filtered water in 1 gallon containers).

Looking at the small part and the faucet again it is clear that something broke and the whole faucet needs to be replaced. I guess I will order this faucet from Amazon: Amazon.com: Dura Faucet RV Tub and Shower Faucet Valve Diverter with Smoked.... Camping World has similar faucets but nothing in bisque. I will also call the mothership and see what they say.

Thanks for all the answers. The information and help that is available in this forum is simply invaluable.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #6 –
Nick, that faucet should work.  You may want to install it with the shower connection facing up, to reduce the number of turns the shower head hose has to make, unless they advise otherwise.  Ask them when you go in to buy it.

With a MB, there should be an access panel 6" or 7" square on the wall next to the bathroom, above the front side of the left couch in the back.  Remove the 4 Phillips head screws and the panel, and you should be looking at the back of the faucet.  Large or arthritic hands will find the space difficult to work in.  As I have both, the way I made the connections was, I applied the caulk to the front gasket, then ran the mounting nuts on the back down about half way.  With the faucet free to wiggle, I did the hose attachments.  I then tightened the mounting nuts to snug up the faucet, and wiped away any caulk squeeze out on the front.  I tightened the hose connections, but did not pressurize for 24 hours to give the caulk and pipe dope time to dry a bit.  Next day, I turned on the pump and checked for leaks.

A few cautions - be careful about cross threading.  It can be difficult to get the hose connectors aligned with the threads on the faucet.  Patience, not force, is your friend here.  Use either pipe dope or teflon tape on the threads when connecting the hoses.  After you have made the connections, and the caulk and pipe dope have dried, do not close the access panel right away.  Rather, turn on the water, run both hot and cold, turn the faucet off, then look for leaks.  If you see no sign of leaks, leave the pump on and wrap the hose connections with a few paper towels.  A slow leak will show up as a wet spot.  You can tighten a bit more if necessary, then put dry paper towels on to check again.

Good luck!

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #7 –
While this may not be of much help now, cut the threaded fittings off the back of the broken shower faucet and fill them with epoxy. 
Use them as temporily plugs on any of the faucets, if they start leaking.
Temporarly water faucet plugs. | Flickr


You could do this now if you can access and remove the shower faucet. The fitting are plastic and can be easily  cut with a hacksaw or hobby saw.
Fill them with 5-minute epoxy, wait and hour, then install them on the ends the supply lines. You are then good to go.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #8 –
After about 30 minutes (to explain what I needed in non-plumber terms) and $3.94 at Home Depot it took less than 15 minutes to plug the two water lines. In expert terms I needed 2 nipples, 2 caps, 1 roll of teflon tape (I called the nipples "tubes with threads at both ends which can be closed on one end" which was a little difficult to understand for the very patient Home Depot person). Running water in bathroom and kitchen is so much better than a hose through the bathroom window! Another goodie of this action was to see how easy it is to replace the faucet.

I had thought about cutting off the threaded fittings from the old faucet but I'm on the road and don't have a saw with me. $3,94 is not too much of a damage, I think.

Thanks again for the help!
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #9 –
I really don't think you need a whole new faucet, just get the new cold insert and replace it. Almost any RV store should have the parts. You really only need the cold but it might be wise to replace both. Save yourself some money and grief.
1994 MB
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #10 –
How would I replace just the inserts? Would it really be worth it after having the old faucet already removed?

Replacing the whole faucet ($23.84 at Amazon) should be as easy as it was to install the plugs and requires basically just the faucet and some teflon tape and maybe some caulking.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #11 –

After 13 years of use I decided to replace the entire fixture with the unit in the following link...


Amazon.com: Dura Faucet RV Tub and Shower Faucet Valve Diverter with Classic...

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
After 13 years of use I decided to replace the entire fixture with the unit in the following link...


Amazon.com: Dura Faucet RV Tub and Shower Faucet Valve Diverter with Classic...
Steve, have you installed this fixture? If so, can you provide details of installation, i.e., easy peasy, hard, had to pay to have it installed, etc.

Chris
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #13 –
"...can you provide details of installation..."

Well Chris, seeing as how you have a 30' LD like mine you should be aware that the back side of the shower fixture can be reached through a wall opening below the small shelf in the bedroom. It's a very simple matter to disconnect the two water lines and then back off the two fixture retaining rings. That's the whole of it and installation of the new fixture is just the reverse process. I believe even you could do it.   ;)   :D

While I was at it I also replaced the shower head and the hose plus I added a shut-off valve, another easy job.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Broken Shower Faucet
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"...can you provide details of installation..."

Well Chris, seeing as how you have a 30' LD like mine you should be aware that the back side of the shower fixture can be reached through a wall opening below the small shelf in the bedroom. It's a very simple matter to disconnect the two water lines and then back off the two fixture retaining rings. That's the whole of it and installation of the new fixture is just the reverse process. I believe even you could do it.  ;)  :D

While I was at it I also replaced the shower head and the hose plus I added a shut-off valve, another easy job.
Thanks for your vote of confidence! 😊 Mine's still working fine but I like to bookmark these topics for future just-in-case projects.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
After 13 years of use I decided to replace the entire fixture with the unit in the following link ...
I guess this is internally almost the same Dura faucet (in brushed satin nickel) that I ordered (in bisque). Did it come with some kind of "sealing base plate" or did you have to caulk it? If you used caulk, which one?

Nick
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #16 –
"If you used caulk, which one?"

I disremember at the moment but faintly recall some brand of Tub & Tile stuff. Certainly NOT silicone!   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #17 –
When I replaced mine a few years ago, it had a black sealing base plate.  The factory had caulk underneath that plate.  I cleaned off all the old caulk using a single edge razor blade, then cleaned with alcohol, then used new caulk under my new black sealing base plate.

I found the basic replacement task pretty straightforward.  The only problem I had was getting the cold water line connected to the back of the new faucet.  It kept wanting to cross thread.  I would go half a turn and it would catch.  I would back off, re-align, and try again.  Repeat, for over an hour, before it finally caught and I could run the hose connection down finger tight, after which I seated and tightened the faucet assembly against the caulk and sealing plate.  I bet I re-wrapped teflon tape on those threads a dozen times.

So, a fairly simple job, except for getting in there with these clumsy hands of mine.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #18 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
I disremember at the moment but faintly recall some brand of Tub & Tile stuff. Certainly NOT silicone!  ::)
Something like this: Amazon.com: Dap 18539 Kwik Seal Plus Kitchen and Bath All-Purpose Adhesive...?

And - in general - why not silicone (I'm a complete caulking illiterate)?
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #19 –
Lazy Bones (Steve). Please explain the shut off valve.  The amazon pic seems to be a standard type of faucet.   In addition is the faucet all plastic?

 Thanks in advance.
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #20 –
"Please explain the shut off valve"

Many RV shower heads will dribble even when you have adjusted them to 'off'. That's wasted water! I decided to put an end to the dribble and so inserted my shut off valve just under the shower head. It could also be mounted just under the faucet at the lower end of the hose. No more dribble and when I open the valve to rinse off I do not have to fiddle with the water temperature, it's right where it should be.   ;)

KES Shower Head Shut-Off Valve Ball Valve 1/2-Inch NPT BRASS Polished...
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #21 –
"...why not silicone?"

Nick

Once you've mounted something with silicone and then wish to change it you are out of luck... nothing will stick on an area where silicone has been used before.   >:(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #23 –
I got the new faucet and the instructions say nothing about caulking. The old faucet had also no caulk around or underneath its base plate (the new faucet has a base plate, too).

Can I trust Lazy Daze (not caulking the original faucet) and Dura (not telling me to use caulk) or should I definitely use caulk?

If I use caulk - is it ok to just put some caulk underneath the base plate (which I'm able to) or do I have to caulk around the base plate (which will probably look very messy when done by me)?
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Broken/Replacement Shower Faucet
Reply #24 –
My replacement bath faucet was installed with just the base “gasket”; no caulk.

2003 TK has a new home