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May 12

bathtub faucet

We have a single handle bathtub faucet where turning the valve takes very little torque. The result is that in a setting where the handle is near horizontal, the handle's weight makes the valve turn the rest of the way, which means it's difficult to keep the water temperature set at that spot. Web searches about the valve being loose invariably are about the handle not being firmly fastened to the valve stem, but that's not what is happening here. The valve is almost new (was recently installed to replace one that was stuck) so is likely under warranty, but plumbing visits are a PITA (especially during covid lockdown) and might not be covered. Questions:

Any idea what is going on here? Does it sound fixable, maybe by swapping out the valve cartridge?
Why do those single handle valves exist at all? The design seems stupid, not being able to adjust the temperature and flow rate independently of each other.

Thanks. 2601:648:8202:96B0:3567:50D5:8BFF:4588 (talk) 21:07, 12 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Try a tight Ty-Rap behind it? 96.55.104.236 (talk) 01:16, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Aka: Cable tie 107.15.157.44 (talk) 01:37, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not sure how that's supposed to help: where is the ty-wrap supposed to go? The handle is not identical to the one in this pic but it's the same general idea. The problem is that the valve turns easily enough that the handle flops over from its own weight, and that changes the water temperature. If I can fix that with a ty-wrap then that's great, but I'm having trouble understanding. Thanks. 2601:648:8202:96B0:3567:50D5:8BFF:4588 (talk) 02:02, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I think the idea is to fix the cable tie in a position where the rotating handle will rub against it, so it will act as a brake. If you like that but would prefer something more easily moved to adjust the braking effect, you might try using one or more heavy rubber bands. --76.71.5.208 (talk) 02:11, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Oh hmm, that sounds a little iffy since wire ties are usually quite narrow, plus any type of friction gizmo will wear, but I'll look at the fixture and think about this approach, possibly using some teflon tape in a hose clamp or whatnot. Thanks. 2601:648:8202:96B0:3567:50D5:8BFF:4588 (talk) 02:54, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The fundamental problem is of course that the valve is too loose; it doesn't provide enough resistance to overcome the weight of the handle. Since it is new-ish, that is presumably not due to wear; rather, poor quality control. Is there something on the valve itself that can be tightened? (Probably not, mechanical stuff nowadays isn't designed to be user-serviceable.) Maybe you can jam a toothpick someplace that would add resistance? The only permanent solution is probably replacing it. 107.15.157.44 (talk) 05:43, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This is totally useless for helping with your query, but we have single-handle valves in our shower stalls, which we chose when we remodeled the bathrooms and tore out the bathtubs. In this use case they're convenient since we don't need to adjust flow rate as we use low-flow showerheads anyway, and there are no faucets. --47.146.63.87 (talk) 20:15, 13 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

You could also rig up a stick or string and weight as a counter weight to the handle. 96.55.104.236 (talk) 01:30, 14 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Does the bonnet or gland nut have flats machined into it which you could turn with a wrench? By tightening the bonnet you'll compress the valve packing around the handle which will increase friction. Try turning it about 1/8 of a rotation or less and see if that helps.Tobyc75 (talk) 16:50, 14 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]

User:Tobyc75, that's an interesting idea! I'll have to remove the handle and wall plate to check. It's a cartridge style valve if that makes any difference. Thanks! 2601:648:8202:96B0:3567:50D5:8BFF:4588 (talk) 04:51, 17 May 2020 (UTC)[reply]