I'm stuck; my sprayer isn't.

[glynndah]

I have a sprayer attached to my garden tub in the bathroom. The head of the sprayer has come loose. Since I'm not too sure of my ability to change out the entire hose-sprayer combo and the head doesn't seem to be replaceable, I'm left with the option of gluing the head back to the sprayer.

Is this doable? What kind of glue do I use? It looks, more or less, like this:

http://www.efaucets.com/images/categories/bath-tub-faucets/rotator/delta-tub-faucets-w-handshower-rotator.jpg

A from the good little witch.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Call a plumber. No seriously, use Angies list to call a plumber. There isn't any glue that YOU could use to fix it. Go buy a new faucet set and either install the whole thing yourself or call a plumber or an handy friend. Just make sure he is young and flexible, laying under that sink is a back breaker.

 

[SweetErika]

Have you tried calling Delta to see if there's a problem with that specific component and ask how they suggest you fix it (if glue is still an option after you talk to them, I'd ask which glue they recommend)?

There's no way to unscrew the handheld part from the hose?

 

[jehoram]

I have a sprayer attached to my garden tub in the bathroom. The head of the sprayer has come loose. Since I'm not too sure of my ability to change out the entire hose-sprayer combo and the head doesn't seem to be replaceable, I'm left with the option of gluing the head back to the sprayer.

Is this doable? What kind of glue do I use?

I think that any good epoxy would do the job. That's the kind of glue that comes in two tubes, which you mix together in the amount you need. Available at any hardware store.

And if it doesn't work, you may have to replace the sprayer, but I bet that its hose simply unscrews from the base where all the other spouts and handles and such are mounted. Take it to a hardware store or plumbing supply place and ask for a replacement, or get one from Delta. You shouldn't need any tool more complex than a pair of pliers or a pipe wrench.

 

[glynndah]

Call a plumber. No seriously, use Angies list to call a plumber. There isn't any glue that YOU could use to fix it. Go buy a new faucet set and either install the whole thing yourself or call a plumber or an handy friend. Just make sure he is young and flexible, laying under that sink is a back breaker.

It's not an under the sink sort of thing. I've replaced those myself, along with the vanity it was attached to. I suppose I could take apart the tub surround and replace it, but that seems like an awful lot of work for something that glue and duct tape could possibly fix.

Have you tried calling Delta to see if there's a problem with that specific component and ask how they suggest you fix it (if glue is still an option after you talk to them, I'd ask which glue they recommend)?

There's no way to unscrew the handheld part from the hose?

The thing's about fifteen years old and I haven't a clue as to where the paperwork might be. I worry that unscrewing the whole sprayer head might cause the hose to slither back under the tub and I really don't want to deal with that.

I think that any good epoxy would do the job. That's the kind of glue that comes in two tubes, which you mix together in the amount you need. Available at any hardware store.

And if it doesn't work, you may have to replace the sprayer, but I bet that its hose simply unscrews from the base where all the other spouts and handles and such are mounted. Take it to a hardware store or plumbing supply place and ask for a replacement, or get one from Delta. You shouldn't need any tool more complex than a pair of pliers or a pipe wrench.

Okay. I can deal with epoxy. I've used it before and rarely glue my fingers together. I'd rather not have to replace the whole unit unless I absolutely have to. I'll take another close look at the sprayer and see if I can unscrew the entire head and replace just that part.


Thank you for all your comments. They were greatly appreciated.

 

[GiggLeGasm]

You can get replacement parts right from the manufacturer.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

It's not an under the sink sort of thing. I've replaced those myself, along with the vanity it was attached to. I suppose I could take apart the tub surround and replace it, but that seems like an awful lot of work for something that glue and duct tape could possibly fix.

The thing's about fifteen years old and I haven't a clue as to where the paperwork might be. I worry that unscrewing the whole sprayer head might cause the hose to slither back under the tub and I really don't want to deal with that.

Okay. I can deal with epoxy. I've used it before and rarely glue my fingers together. I'd rather not have to replace the whole unit unless I absolutely have to. I'll take another close look at the sprayer and see if I can unscrew the entire head and replace just that part.


Thank you for all your comments. They were greatly appreciated.

You can get replacement parts right from the manufacturer.

That shower head should unscrew from the hose at the neck down by the hose. Take it to your local, Walmart, Home Depot, Ace or local hardware store...they might have one that fits.

Epoxy is a pain and duct tape doesn't work on everything...believe me I know. It seems to slip right off wet things after awhile.

ETA: A local plumber should know where to get a replacement.

 

[pplwatching]

I assume that you have already tried waving your wand at it?

What specifically do you mean when you say that the head has come loose? Any chance you can post a picture of where the damage is? If the unit is in two parts, include a picture of both at the point where they should go together.

The thing to remember about a sprayer like that is that the water is under pressure. The water may leak past the epoxy, or worse you might end up with epoxy in the water passage. You might not get an exact match, but your best bet may be to replace the head.

Either way, repairing it in place is probably not the best option. You can prevent the hose from slithering back into the hole by looping rubber bands around it good and tight, and then put a pencil or stick through so that it can't slip inside the opening. If you're really worried, you can duct-tape string to the end so that you can fish it back out if necessary.

Good luck!

 

[mdbigdee]

If the sprayer is fifteen years old you should replace it,in my opinion. Plastic gets brittle and mineral deposits clog up the sprayer and the rubber hose will begin to leak.

 

[glynndah]

All very good suggestions. I'll try to take

1. a picture of it so you'll know what I'm talking about

2. it apart and see if I can find a replacement head.

 

[Weird Harold]

It's not an under the sink sort of thing. I've replaced those myself, along with the vanity it was attached to. I suppose I could take apart the tub surround and replace it, but that seems like an awful lot of work for something that glue and duct tape could possibly fix.

Access to the Tub's plumbing might be via an access panel in the backside of the wall the faucets are against; possibly in a closet?

If you can't get to the hose without knocking holes in a wall, pull the sprayer all the way out and tie a scarf or rag tightly around the hose to keep it from escaping while you work. Then unscrew the broken sprayer and replace it with any hand-held shower-head. The threads on the hose should be the same on any shower head, and there are dozens of choices to match the new sprayer to the existing set.

Glue/Epoxy should be your last choice as it will be a short-term, temporary fix, at best.

 

[glynndah]

Access to the Tub's plumbing might be via an access panel in the backside of the wall the faucets are against; possibly in a closet?

If you can't get to the hose without knocking holes in a wall, pull the sprayer all the way out and tie a scarf or rag tightly around the hose to keep it from escaping while you work. Then unscrew the broken sprayer and replace it with any hand-held shower-head. The threads on the hose should be the same on any shower head, and there are dozens of choices to match the new sprayer to the existing set.

Glue/Epoxy should be your last choice as it will be a short-term, temporary fix, at best.

Oh, but it would be so very much fun when it fails as my husband is the only one who ever uses this sprayer.

 

[ToysAreUs]

I have used epoxy in different applications for many years but it would be a very poor choice for a plumbing repair. If you try it, be certain to use rubber gloves. In liquid form, direct contact to skin will eventually develop a contact sensitivity (rash) followed by liver damage.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I have used epoxy in different applications for many years but it would be a very poor choice for a plumbing repair. If you try it, be certain to use rubber gloves. In liquid form, direct contact to skin will eventually develop a contact sensitivity (rash) followed by liver damage.

See...call a plumber. Or you could write to Ask This Old House...maybe they would feature you in a house call, if you can wait until next season.

 

[glynndah]

I tried unscrewing it at the base of the sprayer head, just to see if it would come apart without much trouble. It was definitely loose enough to turn so I'll look for a replacement head and replace that part.

 

[Lrn_The_Ropes]

if you contact Delta, very often they will send you the replacement part free of charge.

 

[glynndah]

if you contact Delta, very often they will send you the replacement part free of charge.

Hm. I hadn't considered that. It would be nice to get one that matches.