Grohe’s Grohmix shower valves are gaining popularity day by day due to their thick housing and stylish designs. Even so, there are some major problems that Grohmix users are facing every now and then.
For that, you should know Grohmix shower valve troubleshooting so that you can easily fix issues like leakage, too hot or cold, bad pressure balance, etc. Most of the time, cleaning, reinstalling, or replacing some components can make the old shower valve work as before.
We’re mainly focusing on those problems that people generally face and don’t find any easy solutions. Below, there are the problems and the reasons behind them along with easy DIY fixes.
Table of Contents
Grohmix Shower Valve Troubleshooting [4 Easy Soluttons]
There aren’t too many complaints regarding the performance of Grohmix shower valves or Grohe Thermostatic valves. They usually work poorly because of getting older or deposits and corrosion mainly.
However, we’ve identified 4 very common issues with the brand. Here, the Grohmix shower valve problems and solutions are explained.
Note: You can also read how to fix Tuscany shower valve troubleshooting.
1. Low Water Pressure
Key Reasons:
- Heavy mineral deposit
- The mother valve is not fully open
- The Non-return valve or check valve is bad
Description:
On average, a shower valve from Grohe can handle more than around 45 PSI water pressure. So, anything less from the range would surely feel low. The low pressure happens mostly with the old Grohe shower valve due to sediment buildup from hard water.
Besides, if you miss some adjustments with the mother valve and check valves while reinstalling, the pressure would also drop.
Solution:
- Put off the handle using a wrench.
- Then, bring out the valve collar to reveal the main construction.
- Next, take off the valve and cartridge from the main shower line.
- Fully dismantle the cartridge and valve. Use edible vinegar and water solution to wash the parts properly. You should keep them soaking in the vinegar solution for 2-3 hours.
- If there’s a check valve installed, make sure they’re installed properly. Each check valve model has its own way of working. So, read the check valve’s manual or website solutions for a better result.
- After cleaning the valve parts, put them together and reinstall them. When everything’s back to the right places, turn on the mother valve as much as needed. And don’t forget to tighten the screws of the valves to keep up the pressure.
2. No Hot Or Cold Water
Key Reasons:
- Not installed properly
- Balancing spools are locked
- Water lines are blocked
- Handle not turning properly
Description:
The biggest reason for temperature regulation failure is a bad heater. However, as we’re speaking of valves mainly, we need to point out the flaws of a valve that can make no hot or cold water come out.
There are marks over the shower valve that indicates in which position the valve needs to be installed. If you don’t follow the marks and install reversed, you won’t get the desired temperature.
Apart, the hot inlet and cold inlet need to be open and the balancing spool of these inlets needs to be in the same position. If not, the same problem would surely happen.
And the worst-case scenario is hot and cold lines are reversed because of installing the valve in the opposite way. You’d get hot water when you turn the handle for cold and vice versa.
Solution:
- Take off the handle setup first.
- Carefully bring out the valve after that
- Before doing any major task, check if the anti-scald device over the cartridge is letting the handle move freely. If not, adjust the device’s position.
- Now, look for any mineral blockage over the inlets. You need to clean them if they exist even in a small number.
- You can also clean the water lines by hammering them and bypassing cleaning solvents through the pipes.
- There are W and K marks on the valve. Attach W side with the hot inlet and K with the cold one.
- After doing so, turn on the balancing spools. Make sure the spools are in the same position after turning on.
3. Shower Handle Leaking
Key Reasons:
- Excessive water pressure
- Valve and handle not installed tightly
- Broken Grohe shower valve cartridge
Description:
Leaking shower valves or dripping shower heads are the most common problems these days. It can even occur when you’ve installed a new Grohe shower valve model. That’s why it’s really important to know how to stop your shower valve from leaking.
Solution:
- Check your residence’s main line’s water pressure. Try to move the mother valve and lower the pressure. When that’s not possible, purchase a water pressure regulator from the market and install it on the bathroom’s main line.
- The threads of the handle or cartridge can get stripped due to overuse. Stripped handles can’t turn off a water outlet properly. You’ve to either replace the stripped components or tighten the handle by covering the stripped parts using plumbers tape.
- Clean the heavy deposits in the showerhead properly. It’d make the water completely go out through only the outlet, not the gaps in the handle.
- If none of the above works, consider your cartridge to be worn-out or damaged. The last resort for you is to replace the old Grohe valve cartridge with a new one.
4. Hard To Turn Valve
Key Reasons:
- Mineral buildup
- Lack of lubrication
- Corroded cartridges or seals
Description:
When you see the Grohmix shower valve is hard to turn, you should know that it’s mainly because of obstacles stopping the cartridge from moving smoothly. Along with that, some valves might need lubrication before mounting the cartridge. The lack of lubrication also hinders the handle from turning freely.
Solution:
- Like the troubleshooting guide for issue #1, you need to clean up the whole valve system first to eliminate mineral layers completely.
- Then see if any rubber O-rings, pressure washers, or cartridge component is broken. Replace them before reinstalling the shower valve.
- While reinstalling the shower valve, add some WD 40 or similar lube solution to the cartridge body and insert the cartridge into the valve housing.
Expert’s Note
- The valve size and supply line size should be the same
- Try wrapping the handle with a soft cloth while using a wrench to twist the handle to open the valve
- Make sure the main valves are turned off while removing or fixing the shower valve
- If there is more than one showerhead in a small space, the pressure drops naturally; you can’t blame the valve here
FAQs:
Why would a shower valve stop work?
The shower valve can stop working for mainly 3 reasons; 1) the main valve and temp valves aren’t open yet. 2) The pressure generated from the main line isn’t enough for the shower valve to supply water. 3) the shower valve is damaged to clogged.
How do I know if my shower valve is broken?
You should consider your shower valve bad if,
The handle doesn’t move well
The water is coming too much or too less from the faucet
Water is dripping or leaking from the handle and faucet
No hot or cold water
How long do shower valves last?
Branded shower valves last not less than a couple of decades. But due to some blunders, valves can go bad within a few years too.
How much does a plumber charge to change a shower valve?
You can’t expect a local plumber to replace your old valve by getting paid less than 100 bucks excluding the price of a new valve. But if your old valve is under warranty period, you can claim the replacement labor and a new valve from the manufacturer.
Summary
So, that’s all about Grohe shower valve troubleshooting. We don’t think there’s any issue left to discuss as those are the common ones that people face.
Knowing the tricks to solve the usual shower valve problems saves you both time and money. Thus, follow today’s discussion properly and try to compare your issue with the 4 facts given above. If the situation doesn’t seem too similar, don’t forget to mail us right away.