Older shower valve.....

kcopp

Off topic from heat but so much knowledge out there figured it was worth a shot..... I went to do a service call and ran across a old cheapo Rockwell shower valve  and stand up shower. Is this brand a re-badged unit from Central brass or Gerber? or is it something else? I can't find any parts online so far? I need a stem to replace and two new handles. I would replace the whole shebang but it would involve tearing out two layers of  HH plaster and possible destroying the shower wall itself.... Any clues? ty,kpc

jonny88

sterling

i found an old supply book which shows parts as rockwell/sterling.if it is sterling maybe try lockeplumbingcatalog.com.good luck.if you have access from back of shower maybe rip it out and throw in a delta with a large escutcheon plate to cover the missing tiles.

moneypitfeeder

buyout after buyout

In 1978, Sterling purchased certain assets and liabilities of Rockwell International Corporation ("Rockwell") at a substantial discount. Sterling's entire opening inventory consisted of the Rockwell merchandise. Kohler Co. acquired all of the outstanding stock of Sterling in March of 1984.



So you should be able to find a compatible sterling stem, Good luck, Dee

moneypitfeeder

buyout after buyout

In 1978, Sterling purchased certain assets and liabilities of Rockwell International Corporation ("Rockwell") at a substantial discount. Sterling's entire opening inventory consisted of the Rockwell merchandise. Kohler Co. acquired all of the outstanding stock of Sterling in March of 1984.



So you should be able to find a compatible sterling stem, Good luck, Dee

meplumber

I agree with Dee.

Take the stem out and have your wholesaler try to match it up with a Sterling Repair stem.



Good Luck.

chabadplumber

parts for shower body

I don't know what city your in. If you are in the confines of NYc You need to take the item to Replacement parts on 94 & Lexington.If you are out of town look them up  & email thme th pictures they might be able to match it up for you. Many Plumbing supplies have a book with replacement parts that can be ordered. You might be better off trying to sell the customer a new shower body especially outside of NYC

chabadplumber

parts for shower body

I don't know what city your in. If you are in the confines of NYc You need to take the item to Replacement parts on 94 & Lexington.If you are out of town look them up  & email thme th pictures they might be able to match it up for you. Many Plumbing supplies have a book with replacement parts that can be ordered. You might be better off trying to sell the customer a new shower body especially outside of NYC

jonny88

thankgod for that place

nyc replacement parts has gotten me out of a hole more than once,great place

bob young

replace --not worth fixing

A Garbage valve from the get go. rip it out & replace. we used to get them in the mid seventies from home centers pushing complete bath packages. pure junk.  lic. nyc  plbr

icesailor

Older (illegal) valve.

I have a large collection of them in my scrap barrel. No, wait. I sold my scrap.

The valves (in Massachusets) are illegal to replace. The time you spend running around looking for a part that may be unavailable is an awful waste of time.

Just because you can fix it, doesn't mean you should.

If that is what your life has come to, repairing a 40+ YO shower valve on a metal cabinet shower that was probably ready to be replaced years ago because the bottom is rusted out, you may need to reorganize your priorities. After spending hours on this "issue", are you going to charge one hour in labor to get this person out of a jam?

It's not your fault that it is broken and needs to be replaced. Are you or the owner, driving a car or truck that is as old as this valve and shower? Consider that.

Good Luck.

kcopp

Thanks...

Yes it it not a great situation. To replace the valve means to replace the entire shower unit. There is a finished wall (2 sides) behind the cheap shower wall no way to replace the valve w/o tearing out the shower... I am the plumber and I know the owner well. just trying to keep a working shower while there are people living there...

jonny88

wise words from icesailor

i was in a similar situation to ypu once and posted the exact same ?icesailor was able to give me a terrific link to a website,i for one always am willing to take these guys advice,we dont know everything but we should listen to those who know more.i understand your position,in my neighbourhood i have done a few favours for some people who could not afford to get their plumbing fixed,now when i want to start charging people what i think is fair i get the look,we all got to eat,as my boss says business is business.listen to what these guys are saying,rip it out.

mtfallsmikey

Rockwell's finest

I remember the stem threads were changed somewhere along the way...maybe early 80's. Lots of those oldies still up here in cabins, vacation houses, put many of them in back in the day...

HVACIndust

Sterling

Sterling Faucet was started by J.W. Ruby of Morgantown, WV after WWII.  Made lots of money during the housing boom of the 50's & 60's.  Conned Rockwell into buying it all in the early 70's.  Once they got it, found out they paid a lot for not much of anything.  Ruby bought it back for song, then got rid of it again.  Had three plants, Morgantown, Masontown and Ft. Smith, AK (I think).  Now is just a big parking lot in Morgantown.

Steamhead

Why

would it be illegal to "replace" one of these valves? Does MA have a law that says you can only "repair" them? 

bob young

COMPRESSION SHOWER BODY

YEAH, FRANK, In NYC  they are illegal. tough to even buy one. mass may have same law.  how have you & gordo been ?  i try to use symnonns    bob young

Steamhead

I thought so, but Icy said

"The valves (in Massachusets) are illegal to replace".



Now we've all heard some screwy things, so I thought it worth clarifying- illegal to "replace" them or "repair" them?



I would assume the valves in question don't have pressure-balances...............

bob young

COMPRESSION SHOWER BODIES

FRANK, You can repair a compression type shower body but not replace with same type. replacement must be thermostatic , pressure balanced anti-scald.  not much percentage in replacing seats, washers & stems these days. labor rate is close to $ 200.00 per hr & customers would rather see a new product that will not need any repairs for many years . safe ,too. not a bad investment.  bob young

Steamhead

That's what I thought he meant

and it's what we recommend anyway. 

kcopp

I was able to pull apart....

the old shower unit and install a new pressure balanced valve. All are happy now. TY, kpc