Fix a 3 Handle Shower Faucet that Won’t Turn Off!

Struggling with a 3 handle shower faucet that won’t turn off can get really messy. There are so many factors that can cause this quite common issue with shower faucets. However, fixing this problem can also be simple.

To fix a 3 handle shower faucet that won’t turn off, you may need to replace the old cartridge, which is often the main culprit. You may also need to clean/change the stem of handles, tighten the handle screw, and sometimes replace the handle itself.

But It all starts with determining what is the root cause. Based on that, it would be easier to choose a specific solution to try. Let’s discuss more on this topic today!

Start by Identifying Why the Shower Faucet Handle Won’t Turn All the Way Off

As soon as you figure out that the 3 handle shower faucet won’t turn off, the first step is finding out exactly what went wrong. Ask yourself, why won’t my shower faucet turn off all the way?

A shower faucet won’t turn off all the way if there are mineral deposit build-ups on it, which is the most common reason for this issue. However, it can also happen due to a bunch of other problems.

Below you can glance at the common culprits that can make a 3-handle shower faucet unable to turn off along with possible solutions.

Let’s discuss each of these problems and find out exactly how do you turn off a shower with 3 knobs below.

Faulty Cartridge Needs Replacement

Once you discover that your shower handle won’t turn off the water, your attention should first and foremost go toward the cartridge.

With a damaged cartridge you will notice that the water keeps running even with the shower turned off.

As the component is in charge of regulating the water flow, failure here will cause a situation like so. If you don’t take care of a broken cartridge sooner, it can even lead to serious leakage problems.

The best way to solve this issue is to replace the damaged cartridge. However, if you find the problem is still persistent and the shower won’t turn off after replacing the cartridge, check for an airlock in the shower system.

This is in fact, a prominent sign of a malfunctioning single-handle shower faucet having no hot water. You may experience the same issue with the 3-handle shower faucet in case of an airlock. The removal process of the airlock is the same as well.

Dealing With Damaged or Dirty Faucet Stem

If the ridges of your faucet’s stem get worn out, it can cause the handle to go loose. And that can contribute towards difficulty with handle operation for a 3-handle faucet.

The damage can make the handle unable to tighten properly around the stem. It is also possible that the stem is not worn out but is too dirty. And in that case, you will need to clean.

To replace a damaged faucet stem you can easily access it by removing the handle. If the damage is not the case, consider using an old toothbrush to gently scrub the stem.

Fixing a Loose/Cracked Handle

Loose Shower Faucet Handle

If one or more handles of the shower faucet have become loose, then you will face trouble turning it off. This problem can be solved by tightening the handle screw.

You will need a flat-blade screwdriver to get beneath the cover plate. And once the cover plate is out, you will discover the handle screw to check if it’s loose.

In case it is, simply tightening should make the malfunction go away. If loose handles were the culprit, the shower won’t turn on or turn off.

It Can Also Be a Broken Shower Handle

Here it is quite likely that the worn-out handle won’t grip the stem. This will hamper turning off the water.

To check, simply remove the handles in question from the faucet and look for any crack that seems substantial. In case of a cracked handle, you simply need to replace the piece.

There’s hardly any other way to fix a broken shower handle. You can try some temporary solutions to hold the handle together, but this won’t help in the long run. Eventually, you must consider a replacement. The sooner the better!

It could be loose or broken, one thing that you may come across in both cases is difficulty in fixing it due to the running water. So make sure you turn off the water in a broken shower handle before trying any fixes at all.

Considering 3 Handle Shower Faucet Replacement

Now this could be it! You may end up discovering that there’s no other solution but to change the old 3-handle shower faucet. But it’s not always easy. That does not also mean it’s extremely difficult.

Actually, depending on the condition of the old shower faucet, the overall replacement process can be tricky or simple to sort.

I am about to give you a brief idea of how the replacement should work. Of course, you need all the necessary 3-handle shower faucet replacement parts along with some tools.

To Replace the 3 Handle Shower Faucet:

Converting to a Single-Handle Shower Faucet System

There’s something you want to consider once the need to replace the three handle shower faucet occurs. Swapping it with a new single-handle shower faucet. There are lots of reasons for anyone to consider this; however I will simply let you know the most important one.

In many local regulations, 2 and 3-handle shower faucets are not recommended as these styles often include no scalding protection. Unlike a single-handle shower faucet that usually comes with anti-scald features in it.

That is why in such scenarios it is highly recommended that you consider switching to a single-handle shower faucet. Keep in mind this could be a tricky conversion to handle on your own. Find out how to replace a 3-handle shower faucet with a single handle before trying it yourself.

Problems that Require a Professional

While dealing with the 3 handle shower faucet failing to turn off, you may end up finding other issues hiding beneath it. And in some cases, these issues can be pretty significant and bigger to handle alone.

Call a Professional If You Discover:

Wrapping Up

When dealing with a 3 handle shower faucet that won’t turn off, you must proceed with enough caution.

Sometimes the water not turning off in the shower system is actually an indicator of a bigger problem hidden in the plumbing system. If after trying to solve the issue with the suggested solutions you end up nowhere, it might be wise to call a professional and get things checked.

However, this is a pretty common problem. So I am guessing you won’t need to go that far, and things will sort out once you try these solutions. Good Luck With That!

I will catch you in my next guide. Bye!