How to Repair a Squealing Shower | Ask This Old House

Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner silence a shrieking shower. (See below for shopping list, tools, and steps.)

Cost: $5 to $10
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy. Requires only basic plumbing skills

Shopping List for How to Repair a Squealing Shower:

Tools List for How to Repair a Squealing Shower:

Steps for How to Repair a Squealing Shower:
1. Turn off the water to the shower at the water main or well pump.
2. Pry off the index from the shower handle with a pocketknife or narrow-blade screwdriver.
3. Unscrew and remove the handle from the shower valve.
4. Use pliers to loosen the retaining nut that secures the mixing-valve cartridge.
5. Pull the cartridge straight out of the valve.
6. Remove the old rubber seats and metal springs from the valve.
7. Install new rubber seats and springs using a Phillips-head screwdriver to guide them into the openings in the valve.
8. Press a new mixing-valve cartridge into the valve, then thread on the retaining nut and tighten with pliers.
9. Push the old handle onto the new cartridge.
10. Turn on the water and test the shower.
11. Remove the handle and use a hex-key wrench to adjust the safety limit on the valve to prevent scalding.
12. If the squealing sound returns, clean or replace the showerhead or tub spout with diverter.

About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook

Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet:

Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:

How to Repair a Squealing Shower | Ask This Old House

[berk]

best site for plumbing on you tube hands down. love the way you simplify everything. not a bunch of talking. you actually show how every job is done.

[shawnpancake]

I lived with this noise for far too long! Thanks for the diagnostic information. I was ready to tackle the cartridge but after watching this video I realized it was the spout. Thanks a million

[blink]

The amount of music references this guy throws out, really adds to the experience, the reed instrument, just beautiful!

[MRrwmac]

Richard, Thanks for admitting you missed it the first time. Sometimes even if you fix one part, another one crops up because it has old parts through the system.

[Magick]

Wow...Great video. I have been trying to fix my squeaky shower for a couple of days now. Replaced the shower head and the valve cartridge, didn't know what to do next. Thankfully found your video. Replaced the tub spout and the noise is gone. Thank You Richard!!! Now the only squeaking is from my singing.

[albertojespinoza]

After I heard Richard mentioned the calcium built up I went and placed a ziploc bag full of vinegar tied with rubber bands and left it overnight to the spout and the shower head, next day I went in removed the bags full of calcium residue and bang problem solve no more of the noise, clean parts.

[codekat]

I have had this issue with my shower for almost three months. Thanks for sharing! I am going to tackle the fix this weekend.

[oliviagreen]

I liked how he explained how that noise can be caused by a couple different reasons, gives more insight of what could be going on

[budhannam]

Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge for free in a very professional way. We need this kind of videos and human beings in the world!

[leahbrown]

Cut aways get mentioned in most of your videos and I absolutely love them! They are incredibly informative for a visual learner. Thank you for the great information your putting out into the world.

[kenneththompson]

Diverter spout changed. No more squealing and no more complaining from the Mrs. Noice!!! Thank you, Richard!

[grapemultimedia]

Love this video, especially the ending part. Lots only show the perfect solution which is never the case in a real-life situation.

[sonjadez]

You just saved my ears!!! 2 months of searching how to fix the squeal. Thank you.

[cgriesemer]

I had no clue how that diverter worked and the engineering of send the water from the spout back up to the shower head, really fascinating. Love me some This Old House.

[debbytyler]

This is great!! Make sure you watch to end for the other possible fixes. #3 is the fix for me.

[jacobbyrd]

Thank you! Your final analysis fixed our issue. We just had to replace the faucet head. Very easy fix to an annoying problem. Glad I didn’t have to pay a plumber.

[TheInroad]

4:08 = God level pliar usage. Watch and learn folks.

[ringo]

Great job and video! I love the fact that you let the homeowner install the new cartridge-you just gave them a dose of confidence that they didn't previously have. Excellent!!!Great job of diagnosing the problem too.

[rtel]

Delta are noisy when brand new, especially when your pressure is higher. Mine were, and when I was in a hotel, I was often woken up early by someone taking a shower near my room. Whistles thru all the hotel pipes. Thanks, Delta!

[shvestermitshvester]

Thanks! It’s been bugging me for years but since it’s my guest bathroom I’ve always pushed it to the back of my list. Thanks to you it will be sooner rather than later now 👍