While you can generally expect a Delta shower to provide years of trouble-free service, time and the quality of your water supply can eventually cause problems that require minor repairs. Age and use can cause wear, and hard water deposits can cause parts to become dirty or clogged which result in malfunction. Cleaning is the usual first step, but if the part requires replacement, check your owner manual for the correct part number or take the part with you to your home improvement store to ensure you purchase the correct replacement part.

Problems with Water Pressure

Water pressure problems in your Delta shower can present as low-to-no water pressure or only hot or cold water, but not both, being available. Possible causes for this include air in the water line, a dirty or clogged flow restrictor in the shower head or dirty or worn pressure balancing valves. First, check to ensure both the hot and cold water lines are open and fully pressurized. Check the water valves and turn the valve stops counterclockwise to make sure they are open. Then, check the water lines and expel any air that may be present by flushing the line. Turn the shower faucet off, then turn the bathroom sink faucet on. Turn the shower faucet back on slowly and let the water run for a few minutes. The flow restrictor can become dirty or clogged due to age, time and the presence of mineral deposits in hard water. Unscrew the shower head and use a screwdriver to pry the plastic disc-shaped flow restrictor loose. Look at it under a bright light to ensure the holes are clean. Soak both the shower head and the flow restrictor in a 50 percent vinegar/water solution for a few hours to remove mineral deposits, then reassemble and test. If the flow restrictor is clean and water pressure is still a problem, you may need to replace the shower head. If your shower has a pressure balancing system, clean out the pressure balancing valves. Delta uses a piston-type balancing spool to set water pressure ranges within the valve. When the valve is clean, you will be able to hear the inner piston move when you shake the valve. First, turn off the water supply and let any remaining water run through the line. Unscrew the faucet handle and cover plate, and remove. Locate the white spool-shaped balancing valve and unscrew it. Soak it in a vinegar/water solution for a few hours and then shake the spool to ensure you can hear the piston moving. If you cannot hear it moving, you will need to replace the valve. When you reassemble the valve, make sure to screw the pressure-balancing valve in tightly to secure.

Problems with Leaks and/or Drips

Most Delta showers use a cartridge system to secure the shower and help guard against leaks and drips and an O-ring to seal around the base of the shower faucet and prevent leaks in that area. Leaks and drips are not common with a cartridge system but age and the environment can eventually cause either leaks or drips. Before you start any work, turn off the water supply and remove any water that remains in the line. To remove a Delta cartridge, unscrew the faucet handle and remove the bonnet nut holding the cartridge in place. If the cartridge is excessively dirty and difficult to remove, consider purchasing a Delta cartridge puller. A Delta cartridge puller fits over the top of the cartridge and provides greater pulling power. Once the cartridge is out, check the condition of the plastic O-ring and replace if it shows signs of wear or if the shower faucet is leaking from its base. Soak the cartridge in a 50 percent water and vinegar solution for four hours, replace the cartridge and turn water valves back on. If cleaning the cartridge does not work, take the cartridge with you to your home improvement store and purchase a replacement cartridge.

Problems with Faucet Handles

A common problem is a faucet handle that will not close all the way, causing water to leak from the faucet base. Replace the faucet handle with a new one to correct this problem. First, turn off the water supply and unscrew the faucet handle. Pry the handle away from the base with a screwdriver and pull to remove. Screw in the new handle, turn water valves on and test the faucet. If leaks occur, use a wrench to tighten the screws.

Source:

DeltaFaucet.com: FAQs

DeltaFaucet.com: Product Manual

More Information:

DeltaFaucet.com: Customer Support

DeltaParts.FaucetDirect.com: Delta Replacement Part