So, you have been using Symmons showers for a long time? Often many Symmons users ask this question: why Symmons shower valve won’t shut off?
It often happens if the cartridge has clogging issues or the valve disc has become faulty.
However, there can be other reasons. Water from the water supply smoothly can’t flow if there is any problem in the Symmons valve. We use this bathroom accessory in various sectors.
Let’s see why your Symmons shower is not turning off and how to fix it.
How Do Symmons Shower Valves Work?
Symmons shower valves use an internal cartridge and pressure balance unit to control water flow and temperature. Turning the handle rotates the cartridge to proportion hot and cold water. Limit stops inside the cartridge also turn the water on and off.
The pressure balance unit maintains the output temperature during pressure fluctuations to prevent sudden hot or cold surges. When the handle is turned off, the limit stops close to stop water flow.
Common Problems of Symmons Shower Valve
You might be trying hard to find the possible reason why the Symmons shower valve is hard to shut off. Let’s learn the most common causes of this problem.
- Bypass Mode
One of the most typical reasons for this problem is that you may have kept the shower system in bypass mode.
Though it is good for preventing leaking issues, keeping it in this mode for a long time may prevent the shower valve from turning off.
- Broken disc
There are two pivoted plates in a Symmons shower valve. They ensure smooth water flow. If any plates are faulty or clogged up, the Symmons valve won’t be fully closed.
Therefore, Symmons shower valve leaking issues will pop up from it. Water will start dripping slowly or moderately.
Generally, one or both plates may become frozen tight or broken due to the presence of contaminants, gravels, or mineral build-up. Alternatively, if excessive pressures are on the valve disc, your shower valve may not shut off.
- Clogged With Dirt
Though dirt is not a common problem, it can still cause it. Regular cleaning is a good rule of thumb to prevent clogging.
When a large number of people use the shower system every day, more minerals and dirt will build up inside the shower system.
- Damaged Thermostatic
Have you checked the thermostatic shower valve, whether it is fully okay or not? Sometimes, it may become damaged, which is unknown too.
However, unless you have decent plumbing skills, you may not be able to figure out this problem of your own.
How To Fix Problems of Symmons Shower Valve?
Here are solutions you can try out one by one if you are wondering why the Symmons shower valve is hard to shut off.
- Check Blower Turn On/Off
Switch on the furnace. Check if it is working properly. If not, inspecting other issues with the furnace’s air compressor is necessary.
If you have already switched on the blower, turn off the thermostat. Still, facing the issues? See other following solutions.
- Replace Damaged Valve Disc
If the valve disc is damaged, you will see water dripping from the shower valve. Replacing the valve is necessary.
If you are in plumbing, you can do it on your own. Otherwise, hire a professional to replace the disc.
- Clean the Old Cartridges
If the old cartridges have already accumulated a lot of minerals and other dust, cleaning them is crucial.
You can use acetic acid to purify them. But avoid using any chemicals. It might be too harsh for them.
- Replace the Old Cartridges
If cleaning the old cartridges doesn’t solve the problem, installing new cartridges is essential. You should not waste time cleaning old cartridges if they are not replaced for a long time.
- At first, you want to disconnect the water supply so that no water comes through the pipe.
- Now, put something on the shower drain so that all small parts and screws don’t get lost while working.
- Locate the lid plate on the faucet and use a flat-blade screwdriver to open it steadily.
- Next, loosen the nut or screw by turning the screwdriver to the anti-clockwise direction. Take off the handle too.
- Now you can remove the old cartridge by sliding it off. Make sure you don’t lose small parts like clips since you will need them for installing a new cartridge.
- Lubricate the new cartridge properly, which was given with the new product.
- Now, it is time to do the alignment task for the water inlet. You should follow the same process, like the way you have removed the cartridge. The cold and hot parts should be precisely aligned with the cartridge.
- After a successful alignment, you can put the new cartridge inside the shower system. Then insert the handle too. Make sure to put the bolt at the center point of the handle. Now, use a tool to tighten the bolt properly.
If the shower valve is damaged, you can follow this exact process to replace it.
- Tighten The Faucet
The valve may not stop dripping water if the shower faucet is too loose. Follow these steps to tighten your faucet.
- At first, you want to disconnect the water supply so that no water comes through the pipe.
- Then, grab a handy tool like a flat-blade screwdriver to loosen the lid plate located on the faucet.
- Now, take a spanner or normal screwdriver to tighten the handle screw underneath the nut under the lid.
- Next, you need to keep back the lid plate in its original position.
- Finally, connect the water supply to let the water come through the tube and then switch off the water. Recheck whether the issue got solved or not.
- Fixing Faulty Spindle
The spindle is one type of chromium pipeline. A hose is connected with it. Sometimes, you may struggle to turn off the faucet after using it. Here is the way to fix it.
- At first, you need to check to verify whether the water is turned off or not.
- Additionally, you inspect the spindle handle to ensure whether it is properly screwed or twisted in its original location.
- If the problem is still popping up, you can detach the spindle handle and setup it up again. Make sure to follow the exact process to reassemble them.
- If you are still experiencing the problem, you can consider replacing the handwheel. Make sure you choose the exact size. It should be properly matched.
This video helped me a lot to troubleshoot my shower valve.
Symmons Shower Valve Maintenance Tips
It is common to face various shower problems after a certain time. Over time, different types of bacteria, germs, and minerals will build up inside the pipe.
Keeping them properly clean is crucial when you want to ensure a smooth function of the shower system. Avoid being too harsh while cleaning the grout.
You can use baby shampoo or natural cleaners to clean the shower. Abrasive or chemical-based cleaners may appear too tough for them.
To make the cleaning task more convenient, you can use a soft nylon brush to wipe away tough dirt. Make sure you don’t give any scope for blockage issues in the pipes. You can use calcium and lime solutions to prevent this problem.
When buying a new showerhead, make sure it has rubber-tip jets. This will make the cleaning job uncomplicated and faster.
How Do You Stop a Shower Valve?
If a shower valve is putting out continuous water, here are tips to stop the flow:
- Rotate handle forcefully to off position. Cartridge may need reseating.
- Shut off main or individual supply valves temporarily.
- Remove cartridge and inspect for debris or damage.
- Replace cartridge and seals if worn. Match model specifications.
- Confirm handle turns smoothly but holds resistance.
- Check for backflow contamination between hot and cold supply lines.
- Consider water pressure regulating valve if pressure exceeds cartridge rating.
Preventative replacement of cartridges and seals every few years can help avoid shut off issues due to age and wear factors. Annual cleaning also removes damaging mineral buildup.
FAQs About Shower Valves Staying On
Common reasons a shower valve fails to fully shut off water include worn seals/washers allowing leaks, obstruction in the cartridge preventing limit stops from sealing, bent cartridge rods, loose handle failing to properly rotate components, and excess water pressure overpowering the closed valve.
If water continues flowing after turning the shower off, it is typically due to a damaged cartridge not closing properly, limit stops blocked with debris, worn seals/washers creating internal leaks, or backflow contamination allowing water crossover past the closed valve.
Inside Symmons cartridges, the limit stops are movable plastic components that seal off the hot and cold inlets when rotated into the closed position by the handle. Their failure to fully seal allows continuous water flow.
To stop water flow on a leaking shower valve, firmly rotate the handle to the off position, shut off main/supply valves temporarily, inspect and clean or replace the cartridge, check for proper handle closure, and consider water pressure reduction if flow exceeds the cartridge rating.
Final Thought
Are you still wondering why the Symmons shower valve won’t shut off? This can happen for several reasons.
First, you have to figure out the main culprit of this problem and implement a solution based on it.
Hopefully, all the solutions we have mentioned will help you fix the problem soonest. If you are still experiencing it, it is better to take help from a professional plumber.
