Replies

1. 
   mike_maines | Sep 21, 2007 01:32am | #1

   Does your bathtub filler have a lever on top you pull to activate the shower head?  When you're done showering, push that lever back down.  It allows the water in the pipe between the tub filler and the showerhead to drain. 

   The pressure from that water column can actually keep the valve closed, until enough of it dribbles out that the valve can open.

    

   So, what kind of engineer are you?  ;-)

1. 
   ziggle | Sep 21, 2007 02:05am | #2

   Electrical. I don't know anything about plumbing.

1. 
   mike_maines | Sep 21, 2007 02:09am | #3

   Electrical

   You're excused then!

   So does your tub filler have the valve on top?  Some higher-end designs have a lever on the wall that does the same thing.  It's called a diverter or diverter valve.

1. 
   ziggle | Sep 21, 2007 02:19am | #4

   Actually, the water comes out of the shower head, not the tub faucet. I can understand the if it came out of the tub faucet, but not the shower head.

   Ziggle

1. 
   mike_maines | Sep 21, 2007 02:41am | #5

   Sorry, guess I didn't read the first post closely enough. 

   I'm not a plumber, but maybe one will chime in if we keep bumping the thread.

2. 
   ziggle | Sep 21, 2007 02:46am | #6

   No problem. I enjoy the conversation.

   Ziggle

3. 
   CapnMac | Sep 21, 2007 05:34pm | #19

   the water comes out of the shower head, not the tub faucet

   I wonder if perhaps this is a side effect of un-valved hammer arrestors on the supply pipes?

   Old school method with copper pipe was to use a T instead of an elbow at the valve, and then extend a capped bit of copper pipe above the T on both the hot & cold legs.  I want to remember that there used to be pocket guides that gave length by pipe size by elevation guidelines for such things.  The air pocket in the pipe "absorbed" pressure waves as the valve(s) opened adn closed

   Now, we don't plumb showers the way we used to, either.  It's not uncommon to find larger pipes than what used to be "standard."  Also, the valves we use are different, too--being mixing valves and anti-scald valves.

   So, I'm wondering if maybe the hammer arrest is just the wrong size enough, that, with the column of water in the shower arm up to the head, that, as the hammer arrestors drain/change state, that a plug of air works its way up through the shower arm.  The internals of an anti-scald valve could also be having an effect, too.

   But, that's speculation on my part, being no better a plumber than archy--mere hack.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

4. 
   DanH | Sep 21, 2007 06:38pm | #20

   There would be no reason to have a hammer arrester in the shower head line.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

5. 
   bobtim | Sep 21, 2007 08:01pm | #22

   There would be no reason to have a hammer arrester in the shower head line.

    

   Capmac has figured it out I think.

   Just cause there is no reason to do or not do something doesn't mean a thing to a lot of DIYers.

6. 
   MikeHennessy | Sep 24, 2007 04:29pm | #23

   If you switch the diverter from shower to tub at the end of your shower, the lines drain pretty quickly and you don't get the delayed "leak" you are experiencing.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

2. 
   DanH | Sep 21, 2007 03:04am | #7

   It's water from the pipes and the shower head. When you shut off the shower they're all filled. Slowly water drips out and air seeps in until a big "gulp" of air is sucked in, allowing remaining water to come out rather suddenly.

   Why do you feel the need to do something about it?

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
1. 
   ziggle | Sep 21, 2007 03:18am | #8

   I was thinking about leaving it.  But my wife is not to happy about it.

1. 
   DanH | Sep 21, 2007 05:36am | #13

   Give her something else to worry about -- have an affair.Seriously -- it's a non-problem. Perfectly normal.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

1. 
   TomC | Sep 21, 2007 05:41am | #14

   An affair is a non-problem. Perfectly normal?

1. 
   DanH | Sep 21, 2007 05:48am | #15

   For some people. For me it would end all my worries.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

2. 
   BryanSayer | Sep 21, 2007 04:38pm | #17

   After turning the water off, try holding the shower divertor half-way between shower and tub. This allows air and water both directions. If that solves the problem, you just have some water trapped in the shower head/pipe by vacuum. Very common on old claw foot shower installs.

1. 
   DanH | Sep 21, 2007 05:26pm | #18

   On many shower heads the center portion of the head is loose. Simply pressing on this "button" will break the vacuum and let the water flow out.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

2. 
   WillieWonka | Sep 21, 2007 07:22pm | #21

   Why do you feel the need to do something about it?Actually, Ihave this also in my shower and for YEARS wondered about it. I never thought to ask, but someone else did here. Now I know.If at first you don't succeed, try using a hammer next time...everything needs some extra persuasion from time to time.  -ME

3. 
   MarkH | Sep 21, 2007 03:51am | #9

   Maybe specters?

   Get a priest.

1. 
   ziggle | Sep 21, 2007 04:07am | #10

   Could this have something to do with venting?

1. 
   mike_maines | Sep 21, 2007 04:23am | #11

   Nope, vent is not connected in any way to supply lines.

1. 
   ziggle | Sep 21, 2007 04:50am | #12

   That closes it for me.

   Thanks.

4. 
   Luka | Sep 21, 2007 01:07pm | #16

   It's the shower god.

   She is angry.

   Have you been peeing in the shower again ???

   ---

   Yeh... That'll work.